Simply counting and identifying corals is a good start. At this point in time, a program should be initiated to monitor and document coral disease incidence on a seasonal basis. Any cyanobacterial bloom should immediately be reported. Samples should be collected, and the site should be photographed and monitored for spread. There should be an immediate investigation into the possibility of sewage contamination to the affected reef.
Black band causes total coral populations to die in about two months.
Red band spreads out over the coral in the daytime and recedes to a red band at night. It is very slow moving, and we usually see it only in patches. Cyanobacteria are found on Key Largo in association with black band disease, but we still cannot say that it is the causative agent. White bands in the white band disease seem to contain oxygen and sulfur, so the area below it would seem to be an anoxic, sulfide rich substrate. Aspiration will remove black band disease and scraping is about 90 percent successful.