Soft Coral Bacterial Infection

[rscovi]

Greetings,
I have a "Green Soft Coral" or Nephthea sp. that has a nasty bacterial infection. There is a black bacteria creeping up the base of this coral. It seems to be choking it and preventing the coral from opening up all the way. Does anyone have advice for treating this bacteria? Help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Rick

 

[slowest is fastest]

If you were to remove the coral and take some of the "black bacteria" and rub it between your fingers it would probably be a very dark dense green color. What you are probably seeing is the rotting part of the coarl. Some coral turn milky white or light brown when they "melt" but Nephthea sp. especially the green ones get the dark green almost black slime instead.
Check your water parameters (nitrates,phospates,pH etc) do a 20% water change and run a high quality carbon for 3-5 days to see if things improve. If you are dosing any suppliments or feeding heavy, stop for a week to give the water change and carbon the best chance of working.
Take a turkey baster and remove ALL the dark green / black areas before doing the water change. it is important that you remove all of it and continue basting. Remove is the key word (not just blow it off the coral but use the baster to remove it) little pieces of this stuff can be bad for other softies in the tank. With good water quality the damaged areas can seal themselves literally overnight.
Be sure it is receiving moderate indirect current.
Good Luck
SiF