I got some Pocillapora at a frag swap l2 weeks ago and it has started bleaching. I have not had any stoney corals in my tank yet. Is this an acclimation issue? Will it come back?


Right now I am under 380 watts of PC in a 65 gallon tank. I have a 250 watt MH on the way, hopefully this week.

Mine is bleeching as well. the top of it is healthy but the bottom is bleeched but the polyps are still extended in the bleeched area.

They both came from the same place so im not sure its something we did or doing.. I hope they come back. I like the look of them..

Several things can cause spontaneous expelling of Zooxanthellae or bleaching. Stress in the process of going to a frag swap, ie, bagging, sitting in bag for a long period, getting jostled around, transfer to new environment, too little or too much light in new environment. If the bleached area still has polyps there's a good chance it will recover. Watch it carefully over the next few days. Be prepared to move it up or down in the water column to get more or less light.

I also experience some bleaching of my pocillopora underneath. The top gets plenty of light, but under it is shaded so it bleaches. This is normal. It also will bleach on the side if it is to close to another coral is does not like. Kinda grows away from it. This too is normal.

If your is bleaching from the top I'm sure that is another problem. Like Amphibious mentioned.