ok I called the LFS today and explained the situation yes it is a coral skeleton and it is real. The manager who cleans other peoples tanks and is very knowledgeable told me to soak the coral in bleach and water and that should kill off the brown algae and yes low and behold it did the coral is spanking clean white again. I rinsed the coral very very well in water and since I am cleaning the tank today I will add aquaplus to the water as I usually do as well and then add the coral back to the tank.
