Big Bubble In Middle Of Montipora Plate Coral?

[kat 4]

What is this big bubble thing in the middle of my coral? It just keeps growing and growing. At first I hoped it was a pearl but it it covered in algae.

I don't know enough about the coral to figure this out so I will attach a pic and see if any of you know....THanks!!

 

[tvwong]

green bubble algae>pop>spores>more green bubbles

 

[kat 4]

Oh dear - learn something new everyday in this hobby. I will take out the coral as it is dead anyway and hopefully take the bubble with it! Thanks

 

[rldavisou]

yeah, don't let it pop in your tank, or you'll be seeing A LOT more of them. They pop when they're about that big, so take it out now.
Emerald crabs are supposed to eat them, but they won't touch one that big.

 

[rcoultas]

Remove the rock from tank if possible - pluck the buuble algae off the rock (this can sometimes be done without breaking them) rinse the rock with some salt water to clean off spores released if bubble popped and return to tank - no problem. I bought a reef from a guy who had tons of these things as large as 2" and 6 months later almost have it controlled with the help of some emerald crabs and the method above. HTH

 

[rcoultas]

PS - don't forget to discard the water used to rinse !! It will be full of spores

 

[kat 4]

Thanks!! I got it all. I won't keep letting it grow if it happens again...I was really hoping it was a pearl....

 

[mr_x]

the spores aren't present in the bubbles at all times. i have read 2 studies on them. one says all that was found inside the bubble was nitrate, the other says spores.