In my time in the reef aquarium industry, I have seen much misinformation contradicting published peer-reviewed data. Some of these ideas stem from ignorance – many people haven’t been exposed to contradictory ideas to those pushed by mainstream media and…
Dysbiosis and the Pathobiome – A Molecular Pathway for Coral Disease
In previous articles, we briefly explored the idea of the coral holobiont and what a healthy microbiome looks like. In this article, I will provide a brief overview of the microbiome of a diseased coral and the steps that cause…
Cyanobacterial mats linked to transmission of Black Band Coral disease
A paper published in the Ecological Society of America has linked the prevalence of Cyanobacteria to coral disease in the Caribbean. A team of biologists noted that cyanobacteria mats were not only a sign of reefs degraded by nutrients and…
Is a ‘Pest Free Guarantee’ Too Much to Ask for in Corals & Frags?
It’s not a stretch to say that the coral aquarium hobby is a fairly mature past time with more than a few decades of experience and refinement. After more than twenty years of intensive culture we have access to a…
There’s So Much More Living on Our Corals Than We Know
Over the last few decades a picture has been coming into focus that our corals are so much more than one simple animal, but a whole ecosystem unto themselves. Both the solitary and colonial coral species that we keep in our aquariums…
Don’t Freak Out About Minimal Tissue Loss on SPS Corals
SPS corals like Montipora, Acropora and many others are some of the most diverse, colorful and interesting stony corals we can keep and grow in aquariums. Along with their fast growth and incomparable colors comes some risk because their fast…
New Discoveries of the Relationship Between Corals & Bacteria
Seems like the relationship between corals and bacteria are becoming a hot subject in the scientific world and a lot of publications on this are coming out every week. This week, we came across a recent paper describing the dynamic…
Mass die-off of corals and invertebrates at East Flower Garden Bank
100 miles offshore of Texas and Louisiana, the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, is considered one of the healthiest anywhere in the region. Last week NOAA scientist were stunned to find green hazy water and expansive patches of white mats…
Lots of things can kill corals, suicide is not one of them
Over the years I have been asked a lot of questions by hobbyists regarding their corals and their tanks. Of these queries, the single most frequently asked question is” Why are my corals dying or why did this coral die?”…
Tip of the Day — Always check your magnet mounts
Equipment and livestock maladies effect even the most expert of reefers. Kevin Kohen, Director of LiveAquaria, shared this image along with this note “Tip of the day–check you magnet holders occasionally to avoid mysterious problems in reef aquaria.” We don’t…
