Elegance Coral Bacterial Infection -- 02/19/09 Hi, <Hello Josh, Minh at your service.> I have had an Elegance Coral for almost two months. It acclimated very quickly and did really well until about a week ago when I noticed that the tentacles wouldn't expand as far. They became shorter and shorter each day. Then it would do weird things like keep its tentacles short but the whole body part of it would swell up pretty big. I can pretty much say I am convinced it is suffering from the common bacterial infection that these are notable for since I am seeing what appears to be necrotic tissue on it now. <I'm sorry but the symptoms you've described are in line with the disease brought up by Eric Borneman as Elegance Coral Disease (ECS: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-01/eb/index.php). There are sporadic anecdotal reports of treatment using various anti-biotic dips and quarantine methods. However, after having kept elegance corals for many years and have received several ill specimens to study, I've yet to reproduce consistent repeatable results from these treatment methods.> I've read in other forums on here about Nitrofurazone or Doxycycline as a very good treatment for these corals. I just can't find anything on where to buy this stuff and of course then how to properly dose them. Is there anything else readily available at a LFS that would be as good or almost as good? <Nitrofurazone is an antibacterial medication often used to treat disease in freshwater and marine fish particularly for topical skin infections. Julian Sprung first introduced Nitrofurazone/Doxycycline elegance treatment many years ago with reported success in many cases. There are various other antibacterial dip treatments such as a botanical remedy called Melafix that was suggested to me by the main coral handler from LiveAquaria. He has had great success in treating wild caught elegance with a Melafix dip (~5ml in a 1 gallon container for 5-10 minutes) immediately upon arrival. You will find that the common thread amongst these treatments is the importance of catching the bacterial infection at the onset of contamination and repeating the treatment. Once the common set of symptoms is visible, it can be very difficult to defeat. However, I would suggest for you to at least give it a shot. Nitrofurazone is sold by Aquatronics under the trademark "Furacyn" and Melafix is sold by API. Both should be available at your local fish store in the fish/disease treatment section. Best of luck.> Thanks in advance! Josh <You're welcome. Cheers, Minh Huynh.>

Catalaphyllia jardinei Hi all, I have been reading about the poor survivability of elegance corals. Anthony's book suggests to leave them alone until we can be assured of getting better quality specimens. In the May 2002 FAMA Julian Sprung suggests that it is a pathogenic bacteria infection that is the main cause of the problems, and treating with the two below antibiotics will cure the problem.  <You may well want to see the "continuing discussion" re this species twixt Jules and Eric Borneman in the August 02 FAMA> So (1) do you agree with his idea to treat the coral with Doxycycline or Nitrofurazone if it begins to waist away? <Not IMO/E... much better to utilize the dip/bath procedure on arrival detailed on our site here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/elegance.htm and in places in the linked FAQs files beyond> (2) I would like to buy one but have resisted due to all the bad "press", where do you get these antibiotics, my LFS has no idea.  <Furan compounds are still sold in the ornamental aquatics trade (Look for a shop that carries Aquarium Pharmaceuticals, Aquatronics, Argent Labs... lines. Doxycycline can be purchased over the Net... or through a M.D. or Vet.> Thanks Larry <I will forward your query to Anthony and Steve as well. Bob Fenner>
Catalaphyllia jardinei Hi all, I have been reading about the poor survivability of elegance corals. Anthony's book suggests to leave them alone until we can be assured of getting better quality specimens.  <yep... my general advice for the masses of casual aquarists. Dedicated folks that will study, specialize and quarantine are encouraged to do so. But know that elegant coral live in the wild in areas with VERY few if any species around them for a reason! If you are going to put this animals in a mixed garden reef aquarium... you are doing yourself, it and the industry a disservice. My advice is to have a dedicated refugium of grasses for it if not a species specific tank like one would/could/should do for anemones> In the May 2002 FAMA Julian Sprung suggests that it is a pathogenic bacteria infection that is the main cause of the problems, and treating with the two below antibiotics will cure the problem. So (1) do you agree with his idea to treat the coral with Doxycycline or Nitrofurazone if it begins to waist away?  <hmmm... I admit that something must be done. But for aquarists that cannot categorically determine the nature of the condition if pathogenic at all... the use of antibiotics indiscriminately is often a disservice to coral and world health. Do read Eric Borneman's response to Julian's theory here:  http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/eb/feature/index.htm as well as look at Julian's response in the June issue of FAMA> (2) I would like to buy one but have resisted due to all the bad "press", where do you get these antibiotics, my LFS has no idea.  <wow... get a different LFS: they at least have tons of Nitrofurazone on their shelves in several brands of medication! It is as common as dirt and has been around for years. It is a basic antibiotic that they should have been recommending to customers for fresh and saltwater fishes! Sheesh. Jungle brand Fungus Eliminator has it... as well as many other brands of meds with the name "Furan" in it. Easy to find... mail order if necessary> Thanks Larry <best regards, Anthony>

Elegance and Doxycycline I have an elegance coral that is not doing well.. not expanding...receding.. I want to treat it with Doxycycline ... but I can't find any information on dosage...  <is there any evidence of an actual pathogenic infection? "Brown jelly", necrotic tissue...or simply recession? can you tell me how much to use?....  <I fear that medicating may do more harm than good with an antibiotic on this invertebrate. Iodine dips may be a more temperate solution if you feel you must medicate. What is the history of this animal so that I can help (how long have you had it, what is your average Ca and Alk levels, purple tip (low light) or other color, what lighting employed, animal at what depth, etc)? thanks Al Nuckols <kindly, Anthony>