What is a key step in managing coral disease in ex-situ settings?

Isolating diseased corals is a crucial step in managing coral disease in ex-situ settings. This action prevents the spread of pathogens to healthy corals within the facility. By isolating affected corals, handlers can closely monitor their condition, implement targeted treatments, and conduct relevant research without endangering the health of surrounding corals. This approach is essential in disease management, as it allows for effective containment and treatment while minimizing the risk to the overall coral population being cared for.

Increasing water flow can be beneficial in certain scenarios, as it may help to deliver nutrients and remove waste, but it does not directly address the disease issue. Reducing light exposure could be a technique for managing stress or algae growth, but it alone does not tackle the spread of disease. Removing all coral from the tanks is impractical and detrimental, as it eliminates any chance of recovery or rehabilitation for the healthy corals. Thus, isolating diseased corals stands out as the most effective and focused strategy in managing coral diseases in an artificial environment.