Brown jelly disease is a fast-spreading infection of LPS coral (especially Euphyllia, frogspawn, hammer, torch) characterized by a brown gelatinous mucus that consumes tissue within 48-72 hours.
Often triggered by stress (parameter swing, alkalinity drop, low DO) followed by protozoan infection. Spreads rapidly between LPS pieces.
Multiple effective treatments exist. Pick based on your tank type, livestock sensitivity, and severity. Always treat in a separate quarantine/hospital tank - most medications are toxic to coral, invertebrates, and live rock biology.
Stable parameters (alk swing <0.5 dKH/24hr), good flow on all LPS, dip every new coral, isolate any coral showing symptoms immediately.
Brown jelly-like substance on the coral. Tissue receding from skeleton. Coral failing to extend polyps.
Often triggered by stress (parameter swing, alkalinity drop, low DO) followed by protozoan infection. Spreads rapidly between LPS pieces.
Frag healthy tissue: Remove the coral, cut healthy tissue away from the necrotic edge with sharp shears, dip in CoralRx or Bayer for 5 minutes, mount on a clean plug, return to moderate flow.
Stable parameters (alk swing <0.5 dKH/24hr), good flow on all LPS, dip every new coral, isolate any coral showing symptoms immediately.
CRITICAL - can spread to entire LPS collection within days
Always treat in a separate quarantine or hospital tank. Most medications are toxic to coral, invertebrates, and live rock biology.
Browse the full disease database for 45 aquarium conditions with treatment protocols, or check the care library for prevention-focused husbandry guides. Use our symptom matcher to rank likely diseases from observed signs, the water parameter checker to diagnose related water-quality issues, or the QT timeline calculator to plan a treatment schedule.