Turbinaria peltata attacked by selective algae

MarsRover · Feb 19, 2017

All,

My turbinaria peltata (pagoda cup coral) seems to have been attacked by an algae that is selective of this coral alone.

For the last many weeks I have been taking this coral out of the tank, scrubbing the algae off, dipping coral RX, dipping iodine, then back in the tank. It seems to have slowed, but not stopped the algae attack.

It definitely kills the polyps unfortunately. Since this started, I have lost most of my coral.

This morning I decided I would chop it up in hopes to rescue something before the entire colony was killed off.

saltyfilmfolks · Feb 19, 2017

My concern and initial thought would be that its not the algae killing the coral, but the algae feeding on the parts of the coral that are dying.
Have you moved the croal around to higher flow and light areas or just put it back where it was.

ANd yea thats a bummer. was a nice piece.

MarsRover · Feb 20, 2017

I had it there for months without any issues. Moderate lighting and moderate flow.

It was clear it was the algae overtaking the piece. I'd have heads be 100% extended and happy and then the algae-front reach them and they slowly start to retract and die.

I have another peltata about 5 inches below the one that died and it is doing well.

On a plus note, the heavily fragged pieces seem to be doing well.