Characteristics of Healthy Coral
Healthy coral comes in shades of olive green, brown, tan, and pale yellow. In a healthy coral colony no parts are affected by disease or bleaching. The hue depends on species, environment, and water temperature. Generally, healthy coral has bright, vivid coloring. Brown coral can mean environmental stress, overcrowding, and health issues.
Coral Health Indicators
A healthy coral will look “puffy”. Many LPS corals have flesh that expands and retracts depending on health. If flesh is puffy and swaying, the coral is probably happy.
Coral Recovery and Growth
A new study off Panama shows dead coral reefs may recover from rising temperatures. Corals reproduce once a year, releasing eggs and sperm. Seemingly dead corals can regrow after heat damage from climate change.
Signs of Unhealthy Coral
What are two signs of unhealthy coral? Healthy corals show a variety of colors from the different algal symbionts, while unhealthy corals show fewer colors, more algal colonization, more breakage, and often are bleached white. Look at the color and shape. Old dead corals will be broken down, lack a healthy color, and are sometimes covered in algae. Corals that have been bleached from rising ocean temperatures turn white when the symbiotic algae leaves the coral. An unhealthy coral may also exhibit receding or damaged tissue.
Coral Preservation and Restoration
EPA protects reefs through Clean Water Act programs in watersheds and coastal zones. EPA monitors and assesses U.S. reefs and researches causes of deterioration.
Soft Corals and Water Parameters
Focus on soft corals and LPS. Most problems come from water parameters. Check salinity, calcium, alkalinity, magnesium first. Healthy corals appear vibrant, with bright colors and extended polyps. Signs of illness include reduced color, excessive algal growth, and tissue damage.
Additional Considerations
Avoid frags where some of the skeleton is showing or the coral tissue looks to be melting or rotting away. Aquarium owners often feed their corals with brine shrimp. Check out the pictures below to compare what live vs dead coral looks like.