When I saw a rock at my local fish store with two dying Ricordea corals bleached to practically zero color, I knew I had to try to rehabilitate them. Â
Intake: Acclimation, Inspection, and Dips
Upon arriving at my home, I worked through my typical inspection, dip, and quarantine processes on these two dying Ricordea corals. Although hard to tell, this retracted Ricordea coral was nearly colorless (bleached) (March 14, 2012), but there was fluorescence. The mouths weren’t gaping, and the corals were intact (no damaged tissue). The bleaching severity led me to react to these corals as an “urgent” situation. The “usable diagnosis” (I’m not a medical professional, but this helps me create a care plan) was bleaching due to high light. (I saw where these two corals were physically located in the aquarium, so it was pretty obvious that they were receiving excessive light.)
Then, I had to assess the corals’ overall health. Since bleaching is often due to excessive light, wherein the zooxanthallae leave the coral, the coral has an increased chance of starvation. Note that the coral is surrounded by colorful coralline algae, which can typically tolerate higher-light conditions. This particular Ricordea coral was stressed but appeared in relatively good health (not quite starving). However, the other Ricordea (not pictured – I can’t find a photo) was extremely small and appeared on the brink of starvation.
Next, I removed the dying Ricordea corals from the substrate as much as possible to reduce introduction of parasites and nuisance algae. I continued through my dipping process, which included both a hydrogen peroxide-based dip and a CoralRx dip. Afterward, I glued each coral to a frag plug and placed both corals in the quarantine aquarium.
Quarantine: Care and Feeding
Although “soft corals,” like these dying Ricordea corals, can have a higher saturation point (level of light for optimal photosynthesis) and possibly photoinhibition point (level of detrimental light) than their stoney counterparts, they can still get stressed and expel their zooxanthallae. With proper water conditions and lower light, they will frequently heal on their own. Supplemental feeding helps replace the energy source previously provided by the zooxanthallae.
Therefore, the solution for these corals was a healthy tank, low lighting, low flow, and a bit of feeding. Ricordea are not the most apt to taking food directly, especially when unwell. But, within a few days, the larger coral was eating well (very very small particulate food.) Once the corals went through 30 days of quarantine, were eating well, and did not have any concerning indicators, I used the dip process again before moving the Ricordea corals into my grow-out tank.
(Coral shown on 13 May 2012)
The second Ricordea was not recovering as fast as the larger one, but it was starting to regain color.
(Coral shown 14 May 2012)
By 22 May 2012, the larger Ricordea coral had almost fully recovered. The smaller one still had a ways to go.
Conclusion: Ricordea Rehabilitation Success
By 30 June 2012 (only slightly more than three months later), the larger Ricordea was fully rehabilitated. The smaller Ricordea made a full recovery as well.
From bleached to beautiful in only three months!
References:
For more information on light saturation and photoinhibition in corals and clams, see this link. (It’s a bit dated, but it still contains some interesting information.)
With this post, CoralEverAfter expands from just coral conservation of present-day corals to appreciation of their fossil history – and maybe a glimpse into the future. I’m a nerd, through and through, right down to the rock collection I’ve had since I was a kid. However, last year, everything changed. My husband went to Australia and brought me back some opals – in the rough. He knew I had my Gryphon band saw for cutting live corals, so he thought the hard part was over (this reminds me of when I found that *free* fish tank at a yard sale that started my reefkeeping obsession). Well, I ended up with a slab saw (to cut the rough into something more workable), and then I ended up with a cabbing machine. And, of course, I couldn’t start with the opals; I had to practice! So I started buying rocks…and got addicted. But then, I found fossilized oceans. More specifically, agatized corals that were once part of an ancient reef.Â
So now, not only am I interested in reefkeeping and scuba diving, I’m also into coral lapidary arts. But, it doesn’t stop there. Ooooh no… Because what’s the point of having all these pretty rocks just stored up?? So, I started metalsmithing copper and silver. I already bead, so now I have pretty much the whole lifecycle of jewelry. I hope you enjoy the amazing variety of coral polyp structures, mineral colors, cyanobacteria structures, preserved deathbeds of clams, and other finds on these ancient coral reefs from fossilized oceans.
Indonesian Coral necklace, set in copper with pearl and copper accents
Indonesia Agatized Coral and Marine Life
The variety of patterns and colors in Indonesian agatized coral and other marine life is truly stunning. Some are nearly entirely agatized, leaving little traces of the original flower-patterned mineralization. Others, leave just the polyp structure, resulting in an incredible field-of-flowers pattern. But, one of my absolute favorites isn’t even a fossilized coral; it’s “Script Jasper,” which is a mortality plate of clams made of vibrant oranges, puce, and small crystal patches.
Indonesian Agatized Coral Cabochon
Indonesia Agatized Coral and Rough
Indonesian Agatized Coral Cabochon and Rough
Indonesian Agatized Coral Cabochon
Indonesia Agatized Coral Cabochon and Rough
Coquina Clam Mortality Plate Cabochon and Rough
Indonesian Agatized Coral Slab
Indonesian Agatized Coral Slab
Indonesian Agatized Coral Slab
Indonesian Agatized Coral Slab
Indonesian Agatized Coral Slab
Indonesian Agatized Coral Slab
Indonesian Agatized Coral Slab
United States Agatized Coral and Marine Life
Southwest United States:
While most Utah agatized coral comes in varying shades of browns, grays, and yellows, the Red Horn Coral (Lophophyllidium sp.) stands out, not only amongst Utah corals, but is probably at the top worldwide for its coloration, patterns, and specimen quality. Another red fossilized coral is found in Arizona. Arizona fossilized coral is a unique combination of red jasper with a soft yellowish calcite center and bits of sparkly crystal druzy. While they may not make the highest quality cabochons for jewelry, they are certainly interesting in structure and coloration. But then, there are the Michigan corals. They deserve their own paragraph.
Midwestern United States:
Probably the most infamous fossilized coral is the Michigan Petosky Stone, known for its gray body and darker gray eyes. But, there are so many more corals overshadowed by the Petosky. Take, for instance, the lowly chain coral (Halycites sp.). What a fascinating coral structure that looks like a chain necklace! Then, there are Charlevoix stones, Cladopora, and so many more! Although I don’t have examples here, other parts of the Midwest are home to lovely fossil corals.
Southern United States:
While the Petosky stone probably holds the most popular title, Florida’s Tampa Bay agatized corals are downright breathtaking. However, if you’re a coral purist, you may find yourself saddened that very few of the specimens display any remnants of the coral polyps. These agatized corals are so fully agatized that very few traces of the original structure remain. In the slideshow below, the orange piece shows miniscule traces of the original polyps along the white outer edge.
Northwestern United States
If all the fossilized corals in the United States weren’t enough, there’s other fossilized sea life, particularly Stromatolites and Oncolites, which are various microbial remnants, primarily mats and orbs of cyanobacteria. And… let’s not forget the famous Turritella agate (although it’s a freshwater snail species).
Utah Agatized Horn Coral Cabochon and Rough
Utah Horn Coral Cabochon and Rough
Arizona Agatized Coral Cabochon and Rough
Michigan Chain Coral (“Halycites”) Cabochon and Rough
Michigan Petosky Stone Cabochon and Rough
Tampa Bay, Florida Agatized Coral Cabochon
Wyoming Crinoid (Sea Lily) Cabochon and Rough
Stromatolite (Cyanobacteria Mat) Cabochon and Rough
Oncolites (Cyanobacteria orbs) Cabochon and Rough
Utah Horn Coral Slab
Michigan Cladopora Coral Slab
Michigan Petosky (Hexagonaria percarinata) Slab
Morocco Agatized Coral and Marine Life
It’s incredible to me that one of the most dazzlingly yellow pieces here is stromatolite (microbial mat, primarily cyanobacteria). The ketchup-and-mustard combination, swirled together amidst crystallized valleys, creates a stunning piece. In contrast, while the Actinocyanthus coral cabochon may not boast spectacular coloration, it compensates with exquisite detail in the polyp structure. Some specimens simply look like modern specimens filled with resin; they’re incredible.
I rarely find agatized coral from Mexico (in fact, I only have two slabs), but both are extraordinary. They feature botryoidal formations (bubbly-round structures), crystals, and agate mixed amongst the jasper in varying shades of pinks, grays, and browns.
Mexico Agatized/Crystallized Coral Cabochon
Mexican Agatized Coral Rough
Mexican Agatized and Crystallized Coral Rough
United Kingdom Agatized Coral
My only specimen from the United Kingdom is what I believe is this Lithostrotion coral. It features crystalline tubes surrounded by a dark jasper. No polyp structures are evident.
United Kingdom Lithostrotion Agatized Coral Cabochon and Rough
Unidentified Locale Agatized Coral and Marine Life
These are all unique pieces obtained from various sources, but they also came without any origin information. If you have any insights to these pieces, please let me know!
Unidentified Agatized Coral Cabochon and Rough
Invertebrate Mortality Plate Cabochon and Rough
Stromatolite (Cyanobacteria Mat) Cabochon
Unidentified Agatized Coral Cabochon and Rough
Conclusion:
Agatized corals are a great way to learn about ancient fossilized oceans and the predecessors to our current coral reefs. By studying the past, embracing the present, and planning for the future, maybe we can continue the fairytale of CoralEverAfter with a happy ending.
To Learn More:
If you would like to learn more about fossilized corals, their identification, and their structures, this website *rocks*!
