Researchers are racing the clock to find ways to save reef-building corals from global warming’s devastating effects. During marine heat waves, coral bleaching is thought to be driven by an overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) by the algal symbiont. This triggers a cellular cascade resulting in the loss of the algal symbionts from the coral tissues. Without sugars produced by the symbionts, the bleached corals starve and may die. But a recent study identified potential probiotics that may be able to help detoxify ROS and RNS. In pure bacterial cultures isolated from Galaxea fascicularis corals, researchers identified bacteria carrying ROS- and RNS-scavenging genes. Some of the bacteria may also have the ability to export sugars, potentially substituting the algal based sugar supply. Lastly, the team identified bacteria bearing genes that could help them colonize and associate with coral hosts. Overall, this in-depth genomic study revealed much of the functional potential of coral-associated bacteria and identified new combinations of bacterial traits that may contribute to building the coral’s resistance to bleaching and global warming. While more applied research is needed, these results could lead to new interventions to protect our coral reefs.