Common name: Phormidium corallyticum

General information

Phormidium corallyticum is a species of cyanobacteria known for its role in coral diseases, particularly black band disease (BBD). It is a filamentous cyanobacterium that forms dense mats on coral surfaces, often leading to tissue degradation and death in affected corals. This species is not typically kept in home aquariums due to its pathogenic nature and the risk it poses to coral health.

Care

As a cyanobacterium associated with coral disease, Phormidium corallyticum is not a species that reefkeepers aim to cultivate. Instead, efforts are focused on preventing its growth and spread. Good aquarium hygiene, stable water conditions, and the maintenance of a healthy microbial community are essential in preventing outbreaks of BBD. If detected, treatments may include manual removal of the cyanobacterial mat, improving water flow, and using chemical treatments or biological controls.

Symbiosis

Phormidium corallyticum does not engage in beneficial symbiosis with reef organisms. Instead, it is known for its detrimental effects on coral reefs. It is a primary pathogen in the black band disease complex, which also includes other bacteria and microorganisms. The disease manifests as a migrating black band that progresses across the coral, leading to tissue necrosis.

Habitat

Phormidium corallyticum is found in tropical and subtropical marine environments where it colonizes coral reefs. It thrives in areas with poor water quality and can become problematic in reef aquariums if conditions allow for its proliferation. It is most commonly associated with the disease in Caribbean coral species but can affect a wide range of scleractinian corals.