How To Tell Your Corals Are Healthy

Corals don't always look the same every day, and that's completely normal.

The best way to assess coral health is by understanding its usual behaviour.

Healthy corals will generally:

• appear vibrant
• extend during active periods
• show growth over time

Some species, particularly leather corals, may remain retracted for several days and still be healthy.

As part of their natural cycle, they can shed a waxy layer before reopening and extending again.

You'll also notice changes between day and night. Most corals retract after lights out and extend again during the day. What matters most is recognising when behaviour falls outside those normal patterns.

If you notice increased algae growth, it may indicate elevated nutrient levels within the ecosystem. In many cases, algae is also helping remove those nutrients from the water while the system rebalances.

Observe first, learn the patterns of your reef, and only intervene when necessary.

Thanks for watching.