|
|
FAQs on Marine Algae Identification 26
Related Articles: Avoiding Algae
Problems in Marine System,
Algae Control,
Marine Maintenance, Nutrient
Control and Export, Marine Scavengers,
Snails,
Hermit Crabs,
Mithrax/Emerald Green Crabs, Sea Urchins,
Blennies, Algae Filters,
Ctenochaetus/Bristle Mouth Tangs,
Zebrasoma/Sailfin Tangs, Skimmers,
Skimmer Selection, Marine Algae,
Coralline Algae, Green Algae,
Brown Algae, Blue-Green
"Algae"/(Cyanobacteria), Diatoms,
Brown Algae, Related FAQs:
Marine Algae ID 1, Marine Algae ID 2,
Marine Algae ID 3,
Marine Algae ID 4, Marine
Algae ID 5,
Marine Algae ID 6, Marine
Algae ID 7, Marine Algae ID 8,
Marine Algae ID 9, Marine Algae ID
10, Marine Algae ID 11,
Marine Algae ID 12, Marine Algae ID
13, Marine Algae ID 14,
Marine Algae ID 15, Marine Algae ID 16,
Marine Algae ID 17, Marine Algae ID 18, Marine
Algae ID 19, Marine Algae ID 20,
Marine Algae ID 21, Marine Algae ID 21,
Marine Algae ID 23, Marine Algae ID 24,
Marine Algae ID 25,
SW Algae ID 26,
SW Algae ID 27,
SW Algae ID 28, & Marine Algae Control FAQs 2,
Marine Algaecide Use, Nutrient
Limitation, Marine Algae Eaters,
Culturing Macro-Algae;
Controlling: BGA/Cyano,
Red/Encrusting Algae, Green Algae,
Brown/Diatom Algae, | 
New!
FAQ, ID Visual Guide |
Help With Picture ID - Nuisance Algae 02/18/2009
Good
morning,
<Good morning to you John. Mich with you today.>
I
was wondering if I could get advice or help with id a picture of
something growing on my rock.
<Will try!>
When I purchased
the live rock from a local store, I asked the owner for advice on
placing the rock in my newly set up tank. I said to just place the rock
in the tank and everything should be fine.
<Can be the case, but
isn't always. More here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/estbiofiltmar.htm >
Well now, I am
wondering if I made the correct discussion.
<A QT tank can be your
friend! More here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/quarinverts.htm >
A friend of mine said this was some kind of fungus growing on my rock
and if is from not cleaning the rock before I placed it in the tank - I
don't know.
<This is not a fungus. I suspect it is a nuisance
algae that may have been deprived of light.>
Can you help?
<I hope so!>
Also, can you give me some advice on what to do if it
is fungus?
<Please read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/nutrientcontrol.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/scottsh2ochgart.htm and related links in blue
on the top of the pages.>
Thanks for your help. John
<Welcome!
Mich>
75g with total of 115g system. 2x250w MH, 2xVHO, refug has
2xT5, some SPS, two LPS, and one fish. |
 |
Nuisance Algae or Sea Fan?? 2/16/09
Hi Crew:
<Hi Bonnie,
Mich here.>
Attached is a picture that I hope you can identify.
<Me too!>
My reef tank is 3 1/2 years old. I have a deep 5" sandbed
made up of crushed coral. I know, I know.....it takes a bit more
maintenance than a substrate made of true sand, but I am diligent in
stirring up the crushed coral a couple times a week and vacuuming the
bed about every 3rd week.
<Good husbandry can makes all the
difference!>
I recently removed about an inch of the top substrate
and replaced it with new crushed coral.
<You are wise, this will
help your buffering capacity.>
After I did this replacement, about 3
weeks later, I noticed this maroon, feathery growth.
<May or may not
be related.>
It has continued to grow and is quite pretty.
<I
agree!>
I thought, originally, it must be some type of sea fan.
<Mmm, no.>
However, I just want to make sure and not have some
nuisance algae growing and getting out of control.
<Does look like a
Rhodophyte to me, but that certainly doesn't make it a nuisance! If it
was mine, I would encourage it to grow.>
It's very soft and feathery.
Can you tell me what this is?
<The photo is not clear enough for me
to tell to much beyond it's a red algae, but it sure is a beauty!>
Thanks for your help!
<Welcome!>
Bonnie
<Mich> |
 |
Re: Algae ID?! 02/06/09
Hi Minh,
<Hello Brian.>
I apologize! I thought that I had sent you the pics. I did look on your
site (http://www.wetwebmedia.com/trialalgaeid.htm) and a few you
mentioned below but still can't find anything that is similar to it.
Hope these pics are clear enough to get a good view! Please let me know!
<I'm sorry but I still don't see any attachment with this email. Could
you try to resend the message with the pictures attached?>
Thanks
again for your help!
-Brian
<Cheers, Minh Huynh.>
Re: Algae ID?! 02/06/09
Ugggghh! Very Sorry Minh!
Here are some links to them in case they are getting stripped off.
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh246/networkfishman/algae%20prob/IMG00030.jpg
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh246/networkfishman/algae%20prob/IMG00031.jpg
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh246/networkfishman/algae%20prob/IMG00033.jpg
Sorry for the inconvenience!! I really apologize!!!
<No problem,
Brian. Technology can be so unpredictable. Well, I am finally able to
see this algae and it is quite an interesting case! If it is indeed a
type of algae, I don't believe I have seen this algal variant before. A
typical long and white algae would be Acanthophora spicifera
(http://www.reeflex.net/tiere/1619_Acanthophora_spicifera%20.htm) and
the growth in your tank is quite different. Another possibility is a
form of sponge like the Carteriospongia vermifera
(http://www.reeflex.net/tiere/2202_Carteriospongia_vermifera%2002.htm).
I will have to check with my colleagues and other resources to verify
and get back to you.>
Thanks again,
-Brian
<You're
welcome. Minh Huynh.><<RMF's vote's on a Poriferan>> |   |
Re: Algae ID?! 2/13/09
Hi Minh,
<Hello
Brian>
Yea, it sure is strange! I'm not sure that it looks like
either one. I'm thinking it looks more like a flat leafy type of algae
as it doesn't resemble any type of sponges I've seen and the pics of the
Acanthophora spicifera seem to be too spiky / spiny when this looks more
feathery (but that could be due to the high flow area it's in). Someone
did mentioned to me the possibility of Avrainvillea erecta. But I'm not
too sure.
<Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about you. I've
written a colleague about this and I am waiting to hear back from him.>
I am going to get a SLR camera from a friend and see if I can't get a
really good shot of it. My next email to you will include the pic as
well as my water parameters (which I conveniently left at home this AM -
boo!).
<Excellent, I am looking forward to more photos of this
growth and waiting on your tank water parameters.>
Again... thanks
for the help!
-Brian
<You're welcome. Cheers, Minh Huynh.> |
Algae ID?! 2/5/09
Dear W.W.M Crew!
<Hello
Brian. Minh at your service.>
Long time reader, First time writer.
Just wanted to give a quick acknowledgment out to you all; *Thank you*
for your great advice and knowledge sharing!
Well, I found these in
my tank a few weeks ago. They started off as only one and now are
multiplying and getting larger. It's a long-ish wispy looking algae with
black fringe but mostly white and about 3-4 inches long. They seem to
attach only to the back glass of my tank and none of the rocks. I tried
many online searches but so far nothing that really resembles them. I'm
thinking it is possibly some type of Cyano? But am probably wrong.
<Unfortunately, it is difficult to identify a type of algae by
description alone as there are so many variants. It would be ideal if
you could include a photograph for us to reference. However, I do have
some tools for you to use to identify this growth yourself.
First,
browse through "The Algae Page"
(http://saltcorner.com/sections/guest/algaepage/algaepage.htm) to see if
you could find a match. This page should have most of the common algal
species found in the marine aquaria. It also contains some biological
remedies as well.
Second, review this excellent article on
micro-algal control:
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-07/nftt/index.php.
Lastly, a
possible match for the growth on your glass could be dinoflagellates.
More information can be viewed here:
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-11/rhf/index.php.>
I know
my water quality is probably not pristine, but the levels are constant.
My tank is a 72g bow front w/ 20g sump/refug, large Euro-reef skimmer,
and two 150w MH. Bio load shouldn't be an issue as all fish are fairly
small (antenna goby, Rainford's goby, target mandarin, yellow Coris
wrasse, 2 Banggai, 2 blue/green chromis, hermits, snails) with sps,
LPSs, softies, Zoas. I add Reef Builder and Advantage Calcium two times
a week each on different days. I've asked on some of the different
saltwater aquarium forums but haven't received a good answer, so I'm
hoping you all could help!
<What are your water parameters such as
temperature, pH, nitrate, phosphate, etc?>
Thank you again for the
wonderful site and looking forward to your response!
-Brian from
Boston!
<You're welcome. Cheers, Minh Huynh.>
Jelly but not brown? 02/03/09
I have a recurring problem
with a jelly-like substance in my aquarium. I've tried to research what
it might be, and all references I come across are to brown jelly on hard
corals (with the advice to remove it in a hurry).
However, the jelly
substance I have is almost clear, not brown; perhaps a very faint
yellowish is best description.
<"Brown" jelly disease doesn't
necessarily have to be brown... sometimes it's clear or beige...>
It
hasn't grown on any hard coral, though it has smothered a rock of polyps
(despite frequent removal of jelly - eventually removal of rock and the
colony to try to contain this problem).
<This sounds like Cyano or,
god forbid, dinoflagellates... but without a pic, I can't say for sure.>
The jelly is present in a number of areas in the aquarium; it isn't
limited to growth on specimens of any sort. It grows on some tufty
algae, has invaded polyp colonies; can be found on bare but rough rock.
High water current doesn't seem to limit it - there are no visible
outbreaks in low light areas, though (which might just be coincidence).
Siphoning off jelly in gobs is effective as a control, but can't be
maintained long term. I've had the problem for several months,
reoccurring in patches. Removing all rocks and specimens for individual
treatment is a bit of a non starter, as the outbreak of whatever it is
isn't linked to specific rocks or corals. (In fact, it hasn't appeared
on any hard or soft corals, other than a polyp colony and sometimes
where there are encrusting soft corals; my impression is that the
infection isn't linked to these organisms, but they just happen to be
there).
<huh>
So I'm unclear on what the cause is, or what to do
to treat it. I really need some sort of pan-aquarium treatment rather
than dips (of what I'm unsure), which would cause some massive
disruption. From descriptions of jelly infections I can find, I'm not
convinces this is the same thing as brown jelly (but there again, I
utterly lack experience with this, although I've now kept marines for
over thirty years).
The aquarium is 2m long x 60cm square (about 6ft
x 18in square) and mature; it is on the first floor with a hole cut in
the floor to a garage below, where an identical aquarium is fitted with
skimmer, heating and so on - so the water volume is quite large - before
being pumped back up. Display tank has good water current and turnover.
SG maintained at 1.025, 25 degrees.
Any thoughts on any of this?
Thanks for your time and expertise.
<Try keeping the tank in total
darkness for 2 or 3 days. If it's dinoflagellates, this will help... if
not, well, at least it might give us a better idea of what this might
be.>
Chris
<Best,
Sara M.>
Black Filamentous "What" 01/31/09
Greetings from a
relative newcomer to the field. I have been watching this "thing" on
what I believe to be a Platygyra. It is black, and getting "longer"
all the time. Very filamentous and feathery in nature. There are now
what appear to be "air bubbles" appearing within the structure
itself....two or three closest to the coral itself, and two
individual "bubbles" equally spaced between there and where the
structure becomes mostly filament. At present it is approximately 4
to 4.5 inches long and appears to be "growing".
<It's a kind
of Cyanobacteria. In my experience, the type that grows like this
(dark and stringy) is a real pain in the fins! I'd immediately check
your parameters, do a water change, etc.>
The operative
questions are: any idea what it is and if so, is it desirable,
undesirable, or just "there".
<In my experience, in small
amounts it's ok. But it can quickly grow to be a total nightmare.>
Thanks in advance.
Bob Wright
<Best,
Sara M.>
Thanks |
 | |
Re: Black Filamentous "What" 01/31/09
Thanks very
much...I check many parameters every other day, and those I tested
are "in the green"...however its been a week since I checked
phosphates. I will "get on it" before "it" gets on everything else!
<Yeah, it's just a beast! I had it myself once (uh, or twice) and it
can be frustrating when it gets out of hand. It wouldn't hurt (never
does) to run some extra activated carbon and/or a phosphate
sponge...>
Bob
<Best,
Sara M.> |
Algae ID, Likely Diatoms 1/27/09
Hello crew,
<Hi Mike>
I have a 30g tank set up for a month now. For the past week and a half I
have noticed this rust looking algae growing on my live rock and live
sand.
It hasn't really been a problem (I can only assume). Its now
spreading all over the in and out takes of my filter (205 Fluval) and
has almost completely covered my power head. I have looked all over your
FAQ's on a bunch of different algae but I really haven't found one that
hits home (sorry I'm more of a picture type person). The characteristics
of it are as follows:
On the sand it looks as if someone dyed it to a
rust color, its not hairy or slimy looking, just a different color. I
have 5 Turbos and a sand sifting star (which eat a lot of it daily).
The rock and plastic in the tank literally look like they're oxidizing,
the rock has all changed color.
If I really have stumbled across the
right answer then my assumption would be that its harmless and the bloom
will subside when cycling is done and go away on its own? Now is where
my questions come in. First off could it be that my temperature is too
high?
<No.>
Its currently 80. I have done a 20% weekly water
change and all my levels are zero. This stuff is growing extremely rapid
and im curious to know if im doing something wrong. If it will subside
does that mean it will go away entirely, if so usually how long after
cycling is complete?
<Mike, what you have is a diatom explosion and
is not unusual in new set-ups. Keep up your husbandry and this will soon
go away. See the link here and I'm sure the pics you see will be similar
to what your are seeing in your tank.
http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/algaecontrol/l/blpicalgaediato.htm>
I forgot to add I currently do not have a protein skimmer (I bought a
cheap one and it makes way too many micro bubbles, everything I have
done to get rid of them ended in disaster so out it went.) would this
have any effect on algae?
<On algae, oh yes. An efficient protein
skimmer is one of the best investments you can make to improve water
quality.>
Thanks
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
-Mike |
Slime Algae 1/18/09
Hello, I have spent hours reading
on your website it is great.
<Awesome.>
I have a 55gal
garden reef , 10gal refugium, cpr wet/dry with built in skimmer. The
uv sterilizer and carbon only once or twice a month. For lighting I
run a 8 bulb 432watt t5 light for 8 hours a day 2 hours of actinic
before and after the 8 hour period. My water parameters seem to be
right ph 8.3 calcium 400, magnesium 1300, nitrites, nitrates,
ammonia and phosphate all at 0. I have been having a problem with
some type of slime covering everything, I have scrubbed it off
several times. I have three 400gph Hydor Koralia for water movement
with 500gph return pump. My sand bed is only about 2-3 inches deep
and gets stirred up by my clownfish a lot I was thinking maybe this
was causing the problem but I wanted to ask the pros.
<Crud on
the sandbed is indicative of other issues, but for what it is worth
this really should be increased to 4-5” for a true DSB or reduced to
1” or less for cleaning. The middle ground tends to accumulate
detritus and nutrients without any benefit.>
I have 5 SPS's,
frog spawn, elephant ear mushroom, brain coral, crocea clam and
several trumpet corals. My refugia has Caulerpa and Halimeda plant
in it. I have a sebae clownfish, tomini tang and a damsel. I do 5
gal water changes every week. Sometimes when the sand gets stirred
up I can see black spots in it when you stir the black spot up its
like dust. I have included a photo of the slime.
<BGA.>
I
appreciate you taking the time to read this and any suggestions on
what to do to get rid of this or maybe just what it is would be
great.
<The fueling factors are introduced somewhere, either
feeding or source water. Your levels test OK because they are being
consumed as produced. Do see
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/bluegralgae.htm and the linked files
above. All the solutions to your issue are held there within.>
Thanks for the help and such a great website Dan |
[1]%20slime%20alg.JPG) |
|
Hey Crew
Re: Neglected tank, algae run a muck 1/4/09
I have been looking on your web site all day, and found a wealth of
information, however, not quite what I am looking for. I have a 75
gallon reef with a good amount of live rock. It has been set up for 5 or
6 years.
I went through a period when I didn't take care of it the
way I should have and I have an algae problem. I also have a 20 gallon
refugium with Caulerpa, and I can't remember what the other stuff is in
there. I think it is Chaeto.
<Most likely Chaeto if it looks like
green spaghetti. Do be careful with the Caulerpa though. It's one nasty
bugger if it goes sexual on you or gets in your main display. Here's
some information to ID if you have time
http://www.sccat.net/#identification-1e86f5>
I have some hair algae
in the refugium also, but that is not may main concern. In the display
tank there is a brush like growth that I think is Chlorodesmis, based on
the pictures I can find.
<A picture would be best to see here, but
I have doubts that you are dealing with Chlorodesmis aka maidens hair
algae.>
I have read that it is a difficult algae to grow, so I am
not sure that is it. It will grow Large clumps in my display tank. I
have tried to manually remove as much as I can, and have started keeping
the tank better, keeping the water quality up, cleaning, watching the
chemistry. But the algae seems to still grow abundantly. It grows so
thick that it traps solid waste near the rock it grows on and acts like
"potting soil". The only think I am not totally sure about is the
phosphate level. I have trouble distinguishing the color on the test
kits. The other levels test 0 for ammonia nitrate and nitrite. I know
from other articles that there could still be some level in the tank,
but it gets used quickly enough so it doesn't show up on a test.
I
am wondering it there is something I can put in the tank to control this
stuff. I have a candy coral that I had to separate into smaller pieces
to remove some on the algae that was killing a portion of the coral.
Thanks for any input you can give me.
<Again, without a picture it
is hard to say, but if it looks like maidens hair, I would think it is
probably Bryopsis or hair algae. Bryopsis can look like ferns or more
like hair algae with tiny hairs growing off the central hair shaft. Its
very hard to get rid of. There are a few things you can do if it is
Bryopsis. I've heard of a few things that work most of the time, and
only one that works all of the time. Ruby lettuce Nudi's will eat it
all, but then you must take care that they don't starve and either
return them to the local fish store or pass them along to someone else
in town who has an algae problem. You must also be careful of powerheads
because they will enter them and get ripped apart. I've also heard that
raising magnesium works, but it is hit or miss. You can find some more
information on the subject here:
Algae control in general
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/algaeconMar.htm
Specifics on Bryopsis
http://fish.suite101.com/article.cfm/bryopsis_a_common_pest_in_aquaria
Regards, Jessy>
Kelley |
re: Hey Crew 1/4/09
Here are a couple of
pictures to help with ID.
I don't see anything that looks
remotely like something coming off the main shaft.
Kelley
<Mmm, looks like Bryopsis sp. to me... a tough Green algae to
control...
See the Net, WWM re probable approaches. Bob
Fenner> |   |
Red algae growth... BGA, reading 12/26/08
Hi there. I've been battling some type of red algae growth in my tank
over the last few weeks and would like to know if it is harmful or not.
<Can be>
If so, what measures should I take to get rid of it?
<A
few approaches...>
Even if it's not, how could I control it? It
quickly spreads over all the substrate of the tank as well as the live
rock. I tried to identify it using the pictures on this site but
couldn't find anything that looked like a perfect match. The algae will
peel up in sheets off the substrate once it has grown for a little
while.
Here's a picture of it after about a week and a half after I
cleaned it up last:
>... is BGA, aka Cyanobacteria. Read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/bluegralgae.htm
and the linked files above.
Bob Fenner> |
|
Thanks so much for the help! All I needed was a definitive ID on that
stuff.
<Ahh, welcome... Not hard to "nip in the bud" when caught
early on... Good luck. B> |
|
|
