Eliminating coral-eating nudibranchs with potassium permanganate.

 

An Effective Solution

Variables

     Many variables were controlled during the tests to ensure the highest possible accuracy of the results. The conditions in the holding tanks were strictly maintained by control of temperature, salinity, light input, and water movement. During the tests, care was taken to minimize evaporation of test water and any temperature fluctuation. To ensure an accurate representation, sample nudibranchs and eggs were obtained from several coral colonies of different species. As well, nudibranchs of varying sizes were chosen for each test group. Immersion time was carefully measured and recorded in order to obtain unbiased results. Handling and transfer methods for the various samples were standardized so that each sample experienced the same conditions and external stress as the others in each test group. The only variable modified in the experiments was the concentration of the KMnO₄ solutions.

     One final experiment was designed to verify the ability of multiple coral species to withstand an effective concentration and immersion time of KMnO₄ solution. This test varied the species of coral, while concentration remained constant at 50mg/L.