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FAQs about Brown/Phaeophyte Algae/Kelp:
Genus Sargassum
FAQs By Genus: Dictyota,
Lobophora,
Related Articles: Brown Algae, 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: Brown Algae
1, Brown Algae 2, Brown Algae Identification, Brown Algae Behavior, Brown Algae Selection, Brown Algae Systems, Brown Algae Nutrition, Brown Algae Disease, Brown Algae Reproduction/Propagation,
Marine Algicide Use, Nutrient Limitation, Marine Algae Eaters, Culturing Macro-Algae; Controlling: BGA/Cyano, Red/Encrusting Algae, Green Algae, Brown/Diatom Algae, Marine Algae ID 1, Marine Algae ID 2, Marine Algae Control FAQs II, Marine Algaecide Use, Nutrient Limitation, Marine Algae Eaters, Culturing Macro-Algae; Controlling: BGA/Cyano, Red/Encrusting Algae, Green Algae, Brown/Diatom Algae,
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New Print and
eBook on Amazon
Marine Aquarium Algae Control
by Robert (Bob) Fenner
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| Naso Lituratus alternative for algae
control 12/27/06 Hi, <Hello there> I have
some kind of kelp like macro algae growing all over my live rock in
my reef tank. I was considering using Naso Tang (Naso lituratus)
for controlling it since it is competing with my corals, but since
my tank is only 75 gal, and I know that Naso will outgrow it sooner
or latter (plus possibly damage corals) I am hoping you can suggest
an alternative fish (preferably or any other solution). Tank mates
are 2 Percula Clowns, Yellow tang (eats every other kind of algae
except that one) and cleaning crew : several Cleaner and Peppermint
shrimps, snails, hermits and brittle stars, plus assortment of soft
and hard corals. Tank setup is 75 gal main display, 20 gal sump and
10 gal refugium (swarming with variety creatures and Caulerpa).
<... well...> Here is the picture of the algae, and I was
hoping you can identify it. <The image didn't come
through... see WWM re.... needs to be a jpg, bmp of small size,
attached...> It came on a live rock (which I believe came from
Fiji - according to Marine Depot). While I am able to remove it
from most of the rock, and I do like to use macro algae for
Nitrogen/Oxygen control, it is now getting to less accessible
places among the corals where I can't reach it or I can damage
the corals. Thanks, Mladen Covic <The choice of biological
control is determined on the basis of the type, especially Division
of algae involved... If this is a BGA there are not many predators
to consider... Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/algeatrcontfaqs.htm
and the linked files above... I would consider a Salarias,
Atrosalarias species here myself as a first try. And a look/see
under a microscope at what phyletic level this pest is for sure.
Bob Fenner> |
| Re: Naso Lituratus alternative for algae
control 12/30/06 Thank you for your reply and I am sorry
for any kind of misunderstanding and for image not coming through
(though it was jpg, "only" 57K and attached). <We have
(ongoing) issues with our webmail service... I would not be
surprised if the difficulty were on "our end" here> I
hope I can have another shot at your answer while providing more
details and trying the attached picture again: <Sure, and did
come through... a brown algae right?> First, it is a brown macro
algae, of the kelp type. Leaves are brownish green, 1-2" long,
1/4-1/2" wide, with dark brown spots on the surface, ragged
edges under magnification. Leaves are spreading from well formed
brown-green stem, 1/8 in diameter, covered with dark brown,
1/32" long, protrusions. After several weeks of growth
(reaching 4-5"), this plant starts developing spherical
"fruits" (up to 1/4" in diameter, lighter
brown-green) along the stem, close to the top. Now, on your page
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/brnalgcomp.htm, you have a
picture of some algae ( http://www.wetwebmedia.com/Algae%20and%20Plt%20Pix/Brown%20Algae/Sargassum.
jpg) that you have identified as Sargassum hystrix. <I think you
are correct> It looks quite like my algae, though that picture
shows little detail. In that articles on that page, it is mentioned
that it should die off after 6 months. <Usually does w/in this
time frame> If my algae is Sargassum hystrix, I find that
extremely hard to believe since this plant has some kind of risom
or root that has survived scrubbing when the live rock was
collected and shipped, 3 weeks of my curing of the live rock, and
my very meticulous scrubbing of the rock after the curing. <Mmm,
can originate (and proliferate!) from a single surviving spore...
doesn't need rhizomous material...> And the algae is
blissfully growing, despite my pruning, for almost 6 months now.
And every time I prune it (sharp "pointy" bone cutter) I
try to cut to the rock (which I usually do) and the algae sprouts
again from the same spot, probably from the
tiniest piece of that root that was left buried deep in
the rock. <Heeeee! Sorry for my amusement> As for the
Blennies, that you have suggested, can they really eat this type of
macro-algae. <Mmm... some species... but not likely much of the
ones offered stock in the trade, no> From your site, I would
think they would go for "finer" filamentous and green
algae. Is there any specific Blenny that goes after the
"big" algae? <Well... not likely to find any such for
sale... You could search for the distribution of this Sargassum,
and use Fishbase.org... sorting by the area/geography... to find
potential predators... but...> I hope I am not taking too much
of your time by asking you to help me again. <Oh no... this is
an enjoyable, intellectual (even fun!) exercise for me... Why I
choose to engage others...> Your site has been extremely helpful
to me and the amount of the accumulated knowledge on it is
extraordinary. One thing however, if you don't mind me giving
you a suggestion, can make these pages even more helpful. I have
noticed that many people, when contacting you with their problems,
are sending you the pictures that are illustrating their problems
or accomplishments, and when you publish their questions
and your answers, those pictures are often omitted. <Ahh! We/I
do post all that are sent, that we "get"... often they
get lost in the shuffle (the Crew doesn't move the original
post to where they'll be noticed (are lost in the responding
process), or there is some "issue" with/twixt our
web-mail server (as with your original effort)... What improvement
I'd really like to make is to re-visit and make available the
22k or so images on the site that are mine, in larger sizes... ala
sites like Fishbase... but we must need generate more revenue to
hire someone to do the likely re-scanning, spiffing up, sizing,
making pages, linking... for these... And going forward, to do the
same with folks image-work sent in... with much more
information//fields possible... like the site where the image was
made, size of the individuals shown... A friend is working on the
likes of "banner ad" JavaScript... so, perhaps in
07...> Providing those pictures, either inside the article, or
as follow to link, would be extremely beneficiary since it would
help us cut on repetitive problems by recognizing our stuff on
someone else's picture and/or provide the basis from which we
can formulate more specific questions or comments. <Totally
agreed> Of course if there is an issue with the storage space or
the time and the effort required for the maintenance of those pages
and files, I will understand. <Used to be that the cost of
storage and bandwidth was an issue... the costs for these has
greatly diminished in recent years... it's the time/labor of
going back at this point, along with the "mystery" issues
of email, graphics not getting to/through us that is limiting
currently. Thank you, Bob Fenner> Thank you again, Mladen Covic
<Oh! And I do encourage you to consider a Naso species for
eradicating this Phaeophyte... it will likely do so... and in very
short order!> |
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| Got Weed? Awesome site!! Very comprehensive
and informative. I wanted to forward you a picture of some rock in
my tank and a pretty bad infestation of Sargassum hystrix. Check it
out and let me know what you think and what I should do about it. I
have been pruning but it grows as fast as I prune. Thanks!
<Prune faster! This is really what I would do... You could
"cut down" by using iodine/iodide less, and less
frequently... but might well restrict other desirable metabolic
activity. Just remove more of it on a regular basis... A gorgeous
stand/batch, and nice photo as well! Bob Fenner> Adam |
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| Question For Ya (re Sargassum, brown algae
growth) Would this be considered undesirable? The funny thing
is it has totally overgrown the one rock and is limited to this
rock with the exception of a few stray pieces. I know this is
supposed to die off in 6 months, should I just wait it out and
enjoy the diversity? <I would> Take the rock out and
scrub it? Or just prune as it grows? I know you will say personal
preference, but wanted to make sure. I am tending to lean towards
pruning. Thanks! Adam <I would prune and enjoy. Bob
Fenner> |
- Kiss my Sargassum!!! ...or at least remove it - I am about
60 days into setting up a 55 gal reef tank. About half of my
85lbs. of live rock is completely covered with Sargassum
algae. I am not particularly fond of its looks, and was
wondering if I should try to remove it in order to grown corals later
on. <In the mean time you can use it as a great nutrient export
method by periodically removing large amounts of it. If you think
it's ugly, then by all means, get it out!> If I remove it and
encourage the coralline algae to grow and cover the rock surface, will
it eventually prevent the Sargassum from returning? Thank
you, Randy <Once it's all removed and hasn't grown
back, I wouldn't expect it to return at a later date unless you
reintroduce it. Good luck! -Kevin>
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New Print and
eBook on Amazon
Marine Aquarium Algae Control
by Robert (Bob) Fenner
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