Algae ID: Caulerpa sp. 10/1/2009
Hi guys (and gals) I have a green macro growing out of control,
<Hmm.... sounds like a Caulerpa.>
at first I thought mermaids wineglass, but not convinced. This is bright green, grows like a vine and has thousands of "cups" I can not find a picture on web ANYWHERE but wondering if you have any idea.
<Look here http://www.wetwebmedia.com/caulerpaalg.htm for Caulerpa peltata.>
<You can also look here for a close up:
http://api.ning.com/files/v*bTl9ZsrMcql751ccK2IyP6B57kyhUIwQwU5daFD2uj0jyWqG
*oE55VjNHz6P4r/PlantaeChlorophytaChlorophyceaeCaulerpalesCaulerpaceaeCaulerpapeltataIMG_0066.jpg >
It looks ok, but just wondering if you know what it is, and if it's a good thing?
,Caulerpas can grow out of control if not managed. Read the linked pages at the top of this page for more information:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/caulerpaalg.htm >
Let me know if you want a picture I can take!
<Always best to include a picture if you are requesting a ID of something, but do have a look at the linked pages and see if that is it.>
Ren (Sydney, Australia)
<MikeV (Melbourne, Florida)

A few IDs... learning... 9/1/2009 Hello all, I went to the LFS earlier today and got a hefty piece of LR among other things. One of the other things I bought was a frag of some sort of coral. I was hoping I could get an ID on it: http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/rogutaan/Aquatic%20Mysteries/Frag.jpg <? See WWM re Soft Coral IDs> There was a huge sale so I decided to see if my system can keep corals. <? What sort of approach to life-keeping is this?> Even the employee wasn't sure what it was. Next question is, what are these jelly blob things that are on my LR? http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/rogutaan/Aquatic%20Mysteries/JellyBlob.jpg <... single polyped stony corals... Maybe Caryophylliids> Lastly, Caulerpa. I have some Caulerpa, I haven't had any problems with it, but I'm mostly positive its Caulerpa toxifolia: http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/rogutaan/Aquatic%20Mysteries/CaulerpaSps.jpg <Mis-spelled, but yes...> If it is, should I get it out now? <Please... use WWM for these general questions. Your answers and much pertinent information is archived...> It hasn't done anything as of yet, but its probably a ticking time bomb... Here's a different piece of a Caulerpa, not sure what the spp. is though: http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j152/rogutaan/Aquatic%20Mysteries/CaulerpaSp2.jpg?t=1251776731 <See here: http://wetwebmedia.com/caulerpaalg.htm> The tank is a 55 Gal with maybe 4 or 5 stalks of the Caulerpa, if that means anything... Thanks for your time. <Thank you for learning/using the search tool and indices. Bob Fenner>

Is this a Caulerpa Sp.? 08/24/09 Hi Crew. <Hi Carlos.> Thanks for all your past help, the tank is doing great coming up on 3 years. <I'm glad to hear.> I recently purchased some Chaeto to restock my refugium. After a few weeks I noted this other algae/plant growing along with it. Actually it is outgrowing it. It has these long leaves which have a bit of a saw-tooth edge to them. It grows along the walls and tends to anchor itself to anything. It grows quite quickly and I keep pruning it back. Any ideas what this could be? <A serrated form of Caulerpa brachypus (citing from 'The Genus Caulerpa from Central Visayas, Philippines' by Menez & Calumpong: 'erect foliar branches proliferous occasionally, ligulate, 5-40 mm long, 2-4 mm wide, with serrate margins or almost entire in a few specimens, irregularly disposed, 2-15 mm distance apart on upper side of stolon.''¦ Better don't let it get into your display tank.> I have looked in several books and online and can't seem to find a match. <Many do not have clear serrations as they are noted in the original descriptions, maybe this is why you did not find a match.> Thanks for your help. Cheers Carlos <Welcome. Marco.>

Caulerpa prolifera - 09/08/06 I'm looking for Caulerpa for my sump (to use with Miracle Mud).  Just wondering if Prolifera is the same stuff.  I have prolifera growing in the main tank. <<Prolifera is likely the most common species of Caulerpa available>> Thanks, James <<Regards, EricR>> Caulerpa Invasion - 02/18/06 Dear crew member, <<EricR here>> I have a nuisance algae in my tank which (after searching this site and Algaebase) I believe is Caulerpa nummularia - there is also a photo of it on your site, under the heading Marine Algae ID 9.  The email is entitled Algae ID 12/17/05.  It is the photo on the bottom left. <<Yes, I see it.>> The thing is, there doesn't seem to be an abundance of information about it out there - or at least, with my amateur research skills, I can't find it. <<Hmm...a Google search re seems to bring up quite a few "hits"...though only working through them will determine if there is any useful information.>> What I do know is that it spreads like bird flu and seems impossible, short of a tank tear-down, to eradicate. <<All the Caulerpa species can be very difficult to remove once entrenched.>> Do you think a tang species might eat it? <<Maybe...but I think a Foxface would be a better choice.>> I don't know if it's toxic or not.  Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. <<Have a look here, I think you'll find it of interest:   http://reefshow.com/html/modules.php?name=AvantGo&file=print&sid=144 >> Thanks, Melinda <<Regards, EricR>> 

Caulerpaceae Greetings Bob, I must commend you and the others for putting together such a extensive and informative site. I have recently read your article GREEN ALGAE OF THE FAMILY CAULERPACEAE. In the first paragraph you mention that Caulerpa has the largest (I assume by volume) cell in the algae order. I am under the impression that this excludes Chara the freshwater algae. Correct me if I am wrong. Thanks, <I do think (and this is not an original assessment... as are likely any!) that Caulerpa are the largest single cell organisms (even more than ostrich eggs) in the world including (have removed a bunch of the green algae genus) Chara.> Devoted fan of your work Nathan LaVoy B.S. Biology <Be chatting, Bob Fenner>

First question is about Caulerpa. What is this and what is it used for. My assumption is that it absorbs some nitrates. Is it a good thing to add to a tank? <Caulerpa is a large genus of Green Algae, found in shallow waters throughout the tropical seas. They do absorb nitrates, phosphates, more... and make oxygen, release other chemicals of benefit to captive systems... All good things for your tank> Second - I just purchased a long tentacled anemone because the maroon gold striped clown I wanted was firmly attached to him. Any information you can give me to give this guy (the anemone) the best chance possible for survival would be greatly appreciated. I only have regular fluorescent lighting right now, but have a 250 watt metal halide retrofit kit on the way (should be here within the week). Also, are there any additives that would help (I use Kent Coral-Vite)? <Hmm, don't know if I'm following you here... the animal is photosynthetic... needs more light... now... no additives... some folks purposely feed the large anemones found in symbioses with Clownfishes... others rely on the fish feeding their anemone and incidental foods blowing into the anemone...> tank stats: 55 gallon tank 1 30 watt daylight fluorescent (PowerGlo) 1 15 watt daylight fluorescent (PowerGlo) 1 15 watt blue actinic 1 250 watt metal halide w/6700k bulb on the way) 1 Emperor 400 (carbon media removed and bio beads added to extra media basket) 1 Emperor 280 (also modified as above) 1 20" venturi skimmer (purchased from FFExpress) ~20 to 25lbs of Marshall Island live rock. I hate killing things, let me know if this is sufficient. Thanks!!!!! >> I would "look, before you leap/purchase" going forward... these anemones aren't easy to maintain... and can cause real problems if they die suddenly, get sucked up against an intake.... Bob Fenner

Mexican Caulerpas  I was wondering if you could help me. We have recently noticed some green algae growing in our 75 gallon reef tank. This algae appears to be almost feather looking. It only grows in certain areas of the tank. Is this normal?  <Yes, and yes... Algae, as in life "happens" where there are propitious to allowable conditions... a good sign really> If not what can I do to permanently remove it. <Permanently? Nothing... But much can be done to help control it> I was told that this was Mexican Caulerpas and it was a good thing to have. I would like to get any information you can on this. Also will this stuff need to be controlled??? If so is there some kind of fish or something that will eat it?? Thanks for any help you may offer. Debbie  <Please read through the materials constantly being added to on the topics of Marine Algae, Caulerpas (there's a pic of mexicana there if memory serves), Algae Control... and related FAQs files. Bob Fenner>

Bubble Algae? Bob, I have a type of algae that started growing out of my live sand and I am trying to make a determination as to what it is. It has small pearl shaped green bubbles growing on a stalk that is also green and what looks like roots coming off of the stalk. I did some research on your site and the web and found a Caulerpa that is close to it (grape Caulerpa), however, there are still some differences in the way the pictures of the grape Caulerpa I have found on the web look when compared to what's in my tank. The bubbles growing on the stalk do not strand up like some of the grape pictures I have seen. Approximately every half an inch on the stalk, there is a spot where there is a small limb with three or four bubbles attached. Could this actually be Valonia or something similar and should I remove it? <Could be... and there is tremendous variation in these species with varying conditions (light, nutrient, current...) in captivity... Removal? I would leave it unless it's growing too much, unattractive to you> The only thing I have found about Valonia is that it usually grows in clumps or as a single bubble, but not on stalks like other macro-algae.  <Usually, yes> I actually didn't have much concern over the matter until today at lunch I noticed a small clump of three bubbles attached to a piece of live rock for the first time. I immediately removed the piece of rock and the bubbles from it. Again I wasn't sure if this was actually bubble algae either since the coloration of the algae on the rock was similar to that which is growing on the stalk. Also, from what I have seen, most Valonia appears to be a deep green (almost metallic) color. This algae is more of a true green and not as deep and shiny as the pictures I have seen. Any ideas? <Lots... but not much about this situation... as I say/state, no reason to be overly concerned... you can add Mithrax Crabs... physically remove this material at a later date if it proves to be too vigorous. Bob Fenner> Thanks for your help, Chad

Re: Bubble Algae? Thanks for your help. I managed to get a couple of pictures of the algae in question. I thought that might help with the identification. Right now it doesn't appear to be growing at what I would consider an alarming rate, but I think it will require some pruning soon. Other than the clump of bubbles I found on that piece of rock yesterday I haven't seen any indication that it is spreading anywhere the vine is not present. <Ah, good news to report... this is almost undoubtedly a stand of Caulerpa racemosa... we have images of this species on the "Caulerpa Algae" sections on our website: www.WetWebMedia.com... can be easily "pinched" at whatever point you want to contain it and removed... a beneficial species. Bob Fenner>

Re: Bubble Algae? Whew!!!!!! Thank you very much! <You're welcome my friend. Bob Fenner>

Can you identify this ? My local fish store said they could not make it out. My new Naso Tang won't touch it, but I think it's kinda cool any way. Thanks in advance for any insight you can give me as to it's nature. You are a great friend to the hobby and this hobbyist. <Hmm, a species of Caulerpa... likely C. taxifolia. See this part of our site, images: http://wetwebmedia.com/caulerpaalg.htm Bob Fenner>

Tumble weed algae Hi Bob, I removed the bio balls from my wet/dry and replaced with live rock and tumble weed algae, want to reduce nitrates, currently at 25PPM, can't seem to get lower then this. I have about 25 lbs of live rock in my 54 gal FO tank. <More rock will help... as would a deeper, finer substrate... but is there a concern at 25 ppm of nitrates?> Is tumble weed algae considered macro algae, it is multiplying quite well in my sump, I have a light going 24 hours on the sump. When and how much live rock or algae do I need to get the nitrates to go lower then 25PPM ? <Ummm, is this a Caulerpa species? Please see: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/caulerpaalg.htm ... try trotting around the links if not there. Bob Fenner> Thanks Fred

Re: Tumble weed algae Thanks for getting back so fast, I will add more live rock, after checking your link the algae looks most like Caulerpa serrulata, my LFS called it tumble weed, it was not attached to a rock, you could hold a ball of it in your hand, it has a tight curly, dark green appearance to it. <Sounds like it> I did buy your book "The Conscious Marine Aquarist", it is great resource, I used it to set up my system, I came across your web site my accident, glad I did. <Me too> It seems my LFS will answer direct questions if you know what to ask, but really doesn't really promote the hobby or inquire about any problems one may be having. For the most part your on your own, if I hadn't come across your site, I would probably would have lost all my fish by now. <Mmm... what is it about human nature and our interest... the enlightened seem to be able to anticipate what is needed... to make known what needs to be. I am glad we have met> I love the hobby, I thrive on the challenge to keep the fish healthy and happy, this hobby is not for a person who does not want to invest the time to learn about Marine fishes or deal with the costs involved. <You are correct my friend> Thanks for being there for all of us. <Thank you for sharing. Bob Fenner> Fred

Caulerpa identification <<CKB00[1].jpg> a labeled, apparently proprietary image, i.e., not ours to reproduce/use> Greetings, could you possibly identify this particular type of Caulerpa, and its origin? thank you! Blanca&Stace <Mmm, not a Caulerpa species... but a rhodophyte. Please take a read through WetWebMedia.com re Red Algae under the Marine Index. Bob Fenner>