FAQs on Marine Algae Identification
9
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: FAQ ID Visual
Guide, 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 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 22, Marine Algae ID 23, Marine Algae ID 24, Marine Algae ID, 25, Marine Algae ID, 25, SW Algae ID 26, SW Algae ID 27, SW Algae ID 29, SW Algae ID 30, SW Algae ID 31, SW Algae ID 32, SW Algae ID 33, SW Algae ID 34, SW Algae ID 35, SW
Algae ID 36, SW Algae ID 37, SW
Algae ID 38, SW Algae ID 39, & 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,
"Who's that creeping up my
wallllll?"
|
|
|
New Print and
eBook on Amazon
Marine Aquarium Algae Control
by Robert (Bob) Fenner
|
Aragonite Sand Turning Green - 12/31/05 Good
afternoon, <<Hello>> I have a 75gal setup, Coralife 2X65
power compact lights, 1200 gph Mag pump, protein skimmer, wet-dry
filter, and the tank has been set up for about 6 months. Now
I noticed that my sand/substrate has been turning into a
shade of green towards the bottom, near the glass.
<<Tis normal>> The surface of the sand seems nice and but
the bottom about 1" thick is like a green color.
<<This is algae growing next to the glass where light can
penetrate.>> Is this normal? <<Very much so.>> Should
I move the sand around to get the green color out of the sand or should
I not worry about it since it might be beneficial bacteria.
<<Best to leave it be.>> It doesn't look stringy or
anything so I don't think it's algae but I'm not sure.
<<It is a form of algae...>> Thanks in advance.
<<You're welcome, EricR>>
Algae ID 12/17/05 Hi Bob,
Thanks for
the swift reply. How privileged I am to get a reply from the man
himself! (I'm a big fan of your book "The Conscientious
Marine Aquarist") It was very readable (apart from all those
scientific names! I don't think my brain has got the patience
to absorb all those complicated names, let alone try and pronounce
them correctly!) but a fantastic book none the less. <Much good
help with its production> I have some algae growing in my tank
that I'm struggling to identify and was hoping that you guys at
WWM could help. Algae1 is quite slow growing (from nothing to about
the size of a tennis ball in 3 to 4 months) and under actinic
lights it takes on a bright fluorescent orange appearance. It looks
quite rigid but is very soft to the touch. <A Red/Rhodophyte of
some sort, perhaps one of the many Gracilaria species> Algae2
(the brown one in the picture) is quite rigid and it sprouted a
whole new 'plant' over about one week but is also quite
slow growing. (sorry about the poor picture but it's in quite a
shaded spot) <Looks like another Red, jointed... maybe a Jania
species> Algae3 and Algae4 (the same type) is extremely invasive
and grows like wildfire. It covers my substrate if I don't keep
it thinned back. I suspect it is some kind of Caulerpa as it has
'roots' of a white/transparent appearance that anchor it to
the rocks and substrate. You may also notice some of what I believe
to be grape Caulerpa in the background in the pictures titled
Algae3 + Algae4. This started growing at about the same time as the
invasive one but has not been growing quite as quickly. <Thought
it was all some aberrant Caulerpa racemosa! Don't know what
these are exactly, but would endeavour to keep the greens
especially trimmed back> They are all growing under 3 x 25watt
T8 Fluorescents (2 daylight + one actinic) in a 30 gallon tropical
marine setup. If you can help identify these algae it would be much
appreciated. Many thanks. Leif Hinks <Actual
"to-genera" identification would/will require microscopic
examination... but favoring the reds is the route to go
practically. Cheers, Bob Fenner> |
|
|
Coralline algae 11/19/05 Dear Bob, I have a
bit of a stupid question. I have live rock in my tank that has been
there for approx 2-3 mos. I have a 180g FOWLR. The rock is growing pink
and red encrusting algae. There are areas on the rock where there is
green algae growing and I am having a hard time determining if this is
coralline algae. The green algae doesn't look like it is
"encrusting" but when it grows on the walls of the tank it
feels like fine sandpaper. On the rock, the porosity of the rock that
is covered by the green is evident. Unlike the encrusting pinks where
the rock is "plated" I had a piece of dead fire coral in the
tank that first grew pink, then green algae. This algae is not removed
very easily and it is not slimy to touch. I have noted that it is now
growing in the gravel of the tank. Is this likely to be coralline ?
Jimmy <Well... encrusting is a descriptive term... usually
associated with given species of red, brown and green algae... if
it's hard, rough to the touch... is "encrusting"... but
coralline refers to Reds/Rhodophytes of algae species... and these do
look red, unless bleached (then white). Bob Fenner>
Macroalgae Madness!!! (ID of "Hitchhiking
Macroalgae) 9/26/05 I have searched the FAQ's and
articles for pictures of a couple of new algae that have cropped up
in my aquarium recently, but haven't found any pictures that
look like my specimens. Attached are 2 pictures that
hopefully you can identify. <I'll try!> One looks like
flattened bubbles on short stalks attached to "stems"
that have attached themselves to LR. The
"heads" are about 1/8 inch across. The are a
bright version of pea soup green. <I think that this algae is a
Caulerpa species, probably C. racemosa or similar. A fairly common,
very prolific macroalgae. This species is often utilized by
hobbyists for nutrient export, for which it is well suited if
harvested regularly. It can go sexual and release accumulated
compounds that can greatly degrade water quality in the tank.
Personally, this is one algae I would not use in my system, but
many hobbyists due. Certainly not a "problem", but you
probably want to keep it in check.> The other looks like small
fan corals. They are about 1/2 inch high by
1/4 inch wide, and are pale green. <The pic seems to me to be of
a Halimeda species...literally dozens existing, so you could check
a good resource like Algaebase.org for more information. This algae
is an excellent indicator of calcium levels in your system, and is
quite desirable, IMO.> Thanks!! Ken Baker <My pleasure, Ken.
Both of the macroalgae that you have are relatively benign, and all
part of the wonderful diversity of life that comes in on live rock!
Enjoy! Regards, Scott F.> |
Algae ID, Caulerpas 9/26/05 I have searched the
FAQ's and articles for pictures of a couple of new algae that
have cropped up in my aquarium recently, but haven't found any
pictures that look like my specimens. <Mmm, see WWM re the above
genus> Attached are 2 pictures that hopefully you
can identify. One looks like flattened bubbles on short stalks
attached to "stems" that have attached themselves to
LR. The "heads" are about 1/8 inch
across. The are a bright version of pea soup
green. The other looks like small fan
corals. They are about 1/2 inch high by 1/4 inch wide,
and are pale green. Ken Baker
<Bob Fenner> |
Algae ID, Caulerpas Shame on me. I
"thought I knew" what Caulerpa looked like so I
didn't look at that article. Once I did, I clearly
see that I have C. racemosa. <Ah, yes> My other specimen
looks to be Halimeda opuntia, judging from the picture in the
article "Invertebrates, Algae and Vascular Plants of The
Tropical West Atlantic: Bahamas to Brazil, Part 1".
<Agreed> What's interesting is that I've added
nothing to the tank (except water!) for at least 6
months. I guess these guys have been hanging out in a
hidden location for at least that long. Thanks!! <Yes... what a
planet! I'm not leaving! BobF> |
|
Nuisance Algae (B.G.A./Cyano) 9/25/05 Hi guys!
<Hi Armando, Adam J with you.> I was wondering if you could
help me. <I will do my best.> I have a 75-gallon saltwater
tank but lately I have been seeing some weird purple algae growth.
> your pictures it appears to be Cyanobacteria, a.k.a. red slime
or blue-green algae.> I am not sure if I should leave
it or try to get rid of it. <It's not favorable.>
It's completely grown over one piece of dead coral and is
starting on another. It's a bit fuzzy and doesn't seem to
come off easily like slime algae. I have attached pictures to see
if you can help me identify it or what can I do to get rid of it.
<Please read this as well as the corresponding FAQ's, this
is a common issue so there are endless amounts of info on it:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/bluegralgae.htm > Thank you,
<Adam J.> |
|
Seaclone, algae and Flying Peppermint Shrimp Good
day. Know you are awful busy and will be as concise as
possible. <Appreciate this> 1: Seaclone
100. Not bad, not good. <Bad enough... just suitable for
small systems that are otherwise well-maintained> Have not been able
to produce foam yet. Not all of us are handy with tools and
I should not be trusted with sharp objects. Most of us
can't afford an Aqua C. There are lots of posts with
mods and partial success stories but let's face it, you all are the
ones we are asking, not the posters. So, I would appreciate
seeing you and the WWMedia crew really dive it here, buy or beg a dozen
and come up with an authoritative advisory on how to make it at least
function for 30-40 gallon tanks. <Good idea> Then you won't
have to answer so many questions. <I wish... but not for the
foreseeable future> Personally, I do find it hard to believe that a
company with a good rep like Marineland or AqSystems would produce a
product that simply doesn't work right. That is why I am
trying one (and partly because I have no other means or options)
<The re-do of this gimmicky product is no better than its
predecessors... Agree with your opinion/speculation re the maker/s>
2: One day, small amounts of algae and
growth. 18 hours later, a veritable carpet of brown green
algae on the substrate. <Happens... likely a good deal of BGA
involvement> Vacuumed fully. 6 hours later, splotches on
about 2/3s covering the substrate (with the lights
OFF). Light spectrum is ok and it is not slime algae (at
least to me). I have lots of nutrients in the medium and
that's why I bought the SeaClone I could afford (and return if a
problem). What the heck is this algae and is it a mutant to
grow that fast and pervasively? <A mix of organisms, and though not
slimy, as you state, very likely a good deal of Cyano>
3: While watching a movie with the lights off,
turned on the lights after the show and found a tiny, curled cocktail
shrimp on the carpet. It was Peppy the shrimp, who evidently
committed suicide and leapt out of the tank. I just need to
know if this is something you have seen - everyone else appears fine
for the past week or so, aside from his buddy the Domino <Not his
buddy if this is a Dascyllus trimaculatus> who still looks around
for him. Only thing I can think of is that he liked to
cruise around the top of the tank and another fish might have bumped or
startled him into jet propulsion tail action mode and he went out of
the tank, since he cruised the rim a lot searching and exploring.
<Maybe. Rare they launch themselves out, but does happen>
He never allowed himself to breach the water before even
during maint. when exploring my hand while I was doing something, he
was very friendly. I also don't think he was trying to
get my popcorn although I am sure he was inquisitive enough to have
given it a shot. Thanks and take good care. Bill
<Bob Fenner>
What is this? 9/11/05 I have looked everywhere,
but can not figure out what the green stick like thing is. Pictures
attached. Nicole <Likely Neomeris... please see here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/greenalg.htm Bob
Fenner> |
|
Re: What is this? 9/11/05 So it is a plant? Nicole
<No... a green algae. BobF> |
|
New Print and
eBook on Amazon
Marine Aquarium Algae Control
by Robert (Bob) Fenner
|
|
|