Terpios hoshinota is an encrusting cyanobacteriosponge which grows aggressively over live coral colonies and has been reported to undergo outbreaks which kill corals. In an underwater survey conducted on the reefs of Gulf of Mannar, an outbreak of this coral-invading sponge was witnessed for the first time.
Assessment of coral disease prevalence was carried out in six islands in the northern region of the Gulf of Mannar during February 2007. Assessment was made in two sites in each island and three transects were laid in each site. white band, white plaque, white spot, pink spot, black spot, black band, yellow spot, yellow band and tumors were the observed common diseases in this regime.
