Brown Jelly - Euphyllia Disease

General information

Brown Jelly Disease is one of the biggest threats to corals, especially species of the Euphyllia genus. The disease gets its name from the characteristic brown, jelly-like coating that covers corals, often leading to their rapid death. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and effective treatment methods is crucial for protecting the health of these delicate saltwater organisms.

What causes Brown Jelly?

Despite extensive research, the exact causes of Brown Jelly Disease are not clearly defined. Although the precise cause is not fully known, it is believed that various pathogens, including bacteria, are responsible for its occurrence. Different theories suggest that ciliates may also create favorable conditions for pathogen development or act as secondary factors in the disease progression. Brown Jelly often appears on corals that have been physically damaged, indicating that the weakening of their natural protective barrier promotes infection. 

Other studies suggest that the microorganisms responsible for the disease may be present in the aquarium due to poor sanitation or transfer from another infected tank. Brown Jelly can also develop as a result of coral stress caused by improper water parameters, such as unstable pH, temperature, or excessive nitrogen compounds.

Diagnosing the Disease

Symptoms of Brown Jelly are usually easy to spot. A brown, jelly-like substance appears on the corals, often emitting an unpleasant smell. An infected coral may also show signs of weakening, such as not opening its polyps, fading colors, or rotting. Early detection is crucial as it allows for prompt action to limit the spread of the infection to other corals.

Preventive Measures

Preventing diseases in a reef aquarium is always better than treating them. Regularly testing water parameters, maintaining stable environmental conditions, and isolating new corals before introducing them to the main tank are fundamental steps that can significantly reduce the risk of Brown Jelly Disease. It’s also important to avoid excessive relocation and handling of corals, which can lead to damage, stress, and increased susceptibility to infections.

The most important step upon detecting the disease is isolating the infected coral. It’s recommended to move it to a quarantine tank to prevent the disease from spreading. During this time, it’s crucial to turn off all circulation devices in the main aquarium to limit the spread of pathogens.

Treatment Methods

Antibiotic Therapy

Treating Brown Jelly disease with antibiotics such as Ciprofloxacin requires special attention to dosage and the duration of therapy. Here’s how to properly use Ciprofloxacin for treating this disease:

• Preparation of solution: Dissolve 500 mg of Ciprofloxacin in 50 ml of RO/DI water to obtain a solution with a concentration of 10 mg/ml. Store the solution in a dark container in the refrigerator to prevent degradation of the medication.
• Dosage: Calculate the dose based on the amount of water in your aquarium. For example, for a tank with a capacity of 250 liters, use 3.12 ml of the prepared solution. This dosage provides the required drug concentration of 0.125 mg/l.
  

      Calculating the dose for the aquarium

  • •  Calculate the total required amount of Ciprofloxacin: Multiply the capacity of the aquarium by the recommended concentration of 0.125 mg per liter.
      250 liters×0.125 mg/l=31.2 mg
    • Convert to solution volume: You now need to divide the amount of Ciprofloxacin in mg by the solution concentration to get the volume in milliliters. 31.2 mg÷10 mg/ml=3.12 ml
      So, you need 3.12 ml of your Ciprofloxacin solution as the dose to achieve the desired concentration in your 250-liter aquarium.
• Application: Add the appropriate amount of solution directly to the aquarium, preferably in the evening, to minimize impact on sensitive organisms.
• Duration of therapy: Continue adding the solution every two days for a period of 7 to 10 days, monitoring the condition of the corals and water parameters such as pH, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, and carbonate hardness (kH).
• Observation: Regularly observe the corals’ response to the treatment. It is important to monitor the health of the corals and the stability of the water parameters.
• End of treatment: After completing the treatment, perform a partial water change and turn the protein skimmer and carbon filters back on to remove any antibiotic residues from the water.
• Additional precautions: Always follow the dosing recommendations and do not exceed the recommended dose. If there is no improvement or if adverse reactions occur, consult with an experienced aquarist or a specialist in coral diseases.

There are many methods and dosages related to antibiotic therapy, but I prefer this particular variant. I have discussed this topic with many aquarists who have confirmed the universality and effectiveness of this method.

Dipping

Dipping is a popular treatment method involving briefly immersing corals in a therapeutic solution. There are specialized products available for coral disease management, such as those based on iodine or potassium salts, which can be used for regular coral dips to eliminate pathogens. It’s important to strictly follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid harming the corals.

One commonly used solution is povidone-iodine, which is effective against many pathogens. The dipping solution is prepared by mixing 10 ml of iodine per 1 liter of clean seawater. Corals should be dipped for about 10-15 minutes. This procedure can be repeated every few days while continuously monitoring the coral’s condition.

Additional Treatment Strategies

Amputation

In advanced stages of the disease, more invasive methods like amputation of infected parts of the coral can be considered. Although a difficult decision, sometimes it’s necessary to remove significant portions of the coral to prevent the disease from spreading to healthy tissues and other corals in the tank. Amputation should involve removing the infected tissue along with a small margin of healthy tissue to ensure that all infected tissue is completely removed.

Improving Aquarium Conditions

Changing aquarium conditions, such as improving water circulation or adjusting mineral levels, can also contribute to improving the health of corals. Stable conditions are crucial for maintaining coral resilience against various diseases.

Summary

Brown Jelly is a serious disease that can cause significant harm to a coral reef, especially to euphyllia corals. However, with proper knowledge and methods, we can effectively prevent its spread and negative effects. Regularly monitoring the aquarium’s condition, using proper quarantine procedures, accurately applying medications and dips, and managing the coral’s living environment are crucial for maintaining the health and beauty of the coral reef, including the stunning euphyllia corals.