Why Are Some of My Corals Dying? A Brief Guide To Helping Struggling Corals

Corals are among the most exquisite animals in the ocean, but maintaining them in an aquarium can prove quite challenging. Poor water quality, insufficient lighting, or disease are just a few of the many conditions that can cause coral death. We'll look at several typical causes of coral death in this blog post, along with some steps you can do to prevent it.

How Can a Dying Coral Be Saved?

Alkalinity, also known as carbonate hardness, is a measure of the ability of water to neutralise acid. Corals use alkalinity to create calcium carbonate skeletons, and maintaining stable alkalinity levels is essential for coral growth and health. If alkalinity levels are too low, the pH of the water can drop, leading to stress on the coral and tissue death.

Calcium is another critical element for coral growth and health. Corals use calcium to build and maintain their calcium carbonate skeletons. Without sufficient calcium levels, coral growth will slow or stop, and the coral tissue may start to die. Maintaining stable calcium levels is crucial for the long-term health of corals in an aquarium.

Magnesium is also an essential element for coral health. Magnesium plays a role in the formation of calcium carbonate skeletons, and maintaining stable magnesium levels is necessary to ensure proper calcium uptake by the corals. Magnesium also helps maintain stable alkalinity levels, which are crucial for coral growth and health.

Next Step... Lighting

Check For Disease

If disease is suspected, keep the affected coral isolated and give it the right medicine. The precise type of condition must first be determined, as some treatments can affect other aquarium residents.

Check that none of your Fish are picking at the coral flesh, as some fish are prone to eating corals! 

How to Tell if a Coral is Dying?

Should I Remove Dying Corals?

All dead corals must be removed from the aquarium as soon as possible. Toxins from dying corals can harm other marine life by releasing them into the sea. It's preferable to isolate the afflicted coral and treat it separately since, if it has a disease, it may spread to other corals in the tank.

Will Dead Coral Come Back?

Sadly, dead coral cannot be brought back to life. To avoid additional contamination, the coral skeleton must be removed from the aquarium once the coral tissue has died.

Is it Hard to Keep Corals Alive?

Corals can be difficult to maintain, but with the right attention and care, they can flourish in an aquarium. Their life depends on maintaining suitable water quality, illumination, and temperature. To make sure you're giving the optimal habitat, it's also crucial to research the particular requirements of the coral species you're keeping.

In conclusion, maintaining corals in an aquarium needs close attention to detail and the ability to solve issues as they arise. You can give your corals the best chance of surviving by keeping appropriate lighting and water quality as well as by swiftly addressing any illnesses. In order to avoid future contamination and to fully appreciate the beauty and wonder of these amazing creatures, remember to remove any dying corals from the tank.

 

If you are still unsure about your coral or require any further guidance get in touch and we would be happy to help!