Algae Control on Seagrass

[algaeguy]

Hi Everyone:

My Halodule and Halophila are establishing themselves well in my new system. There was some die-off at first, but now new shoots of both are starting to take off!

One of the things that I have noticed is a fair amount of algal films growing on the fronds themselves. Nothing too crazy, but nontheless a concern to me. They appear to be stringy growths, almost like a dinoflagellate, but kind of brownish-green in color. I find myself "manually" cleaning the fronds every few days, and growth of the seagrasses has not been compromised. Has anyone else noticed this on their seagrasses?

My monitoring of water chemistry has revealed no nutrient imbalaces of any sort (at least in the water column), but I'm a bit curious as to the root cause of this algae.

I've been giving some serious thought to employing either a Ctenochaetus Tang or perhaps a Centropyge Angel to assist in manual removal of the growths. I know that Sarah has kept a C. argi without harm to her seagrasses. Has anyone else kept a Ctenochaetus Tang, or other Centropyge species for this purpose without damage to their seagrass collection?

Just curious!

Thanks!

Scott

 

[graveyardworm]

I think epiphytic algal growth is pretty common on seagrass. In the wild there are lots of critters which take advantage of this and thrive on it keeping the seagrasses clean at the same time. In our tanks not so much. I have found that little collumbelid grazing snails do a good job keeping the seagrasses clean for me they also breed easily in aquariums so there's never a shortage of them.

 

[algaeguy]

Thanks for the feedback, David!

I guess I was worried about the potential for these growths somehow stiffling the growth of the seagrasses themselves. Sounds like its normal, and all a part of the husbandry techniques that need to be developed when keeping these plants.

Scott

 

[piercho]

IME a Kole tang will graze epiphytic growth from sea grass, and does not damage grass as delicate as star grass. I have heard they can be bullies, though. I don't know if that is in general, or just to other tangs. Mine was a mellow fellow.

 

[Macroculture]

I use a Mimic Tang, Acanthurus pyroferus, to control epiphytic algae in the display tank and Virgin Nerites to help control it in the culture tanks. Almost any type of small Nerite (Emerald Nerite excepted) or Collumbelid snail like Strombina or Pyrene will work good. In the wild seagrasses grow faster than they normally do in a tank. This fast growth helps them lose portions of the blade that are covered in bryzoans, diatoms and macroalgae. You can go diving in Florida and Mexico and see Turtle Grass Blades 14 inches tall with the top eight or so inches smothered in epiphytic growth. These tips break off due to natural ablation and you can find them littering the shore. In an aquarium you don't have to worry about seagrass specific diatoms and bryzoans so much, just brown microalgae and the usual tank film. Just don't pour skimmate into the tank and you won't have to worry about too much growth on the blades.

 

[3D-Reef]

I have a Kole tang,and a rabbit fish,in with my turtle grass.The Kole tang cleans on the fronds and the rabbit picks off the old dead ones.But I still have to manually clean too.
Clay

 

[Samala]

Manual removal of algae (running my hands through the blades at each water change) works well for me. For you Scott, I can't imagine that going too well. Deep tank and all. The little argi did a nice job of grazing without destroying plants.. I dont think I would trust a rabbitfish in with most seagrasses, Howard lost some Halophila to a rabbitfish a few months back.

Not sure what you can use that will cohabitate with those dragons.. they're still around, yes?

There are also some very small snails that I've picked up from the lagoon here, cant ID yet, that do a nice job of grazing.

>Sarah

 

[algaeguy]

Thanks again, everyone! Great information!

I've populated the tank with a fair amount of small snails, many of which seem to graze on the fronds to good effect.

I actually have worked out a technique for manually removing the algae myself- you're right, Sarah- it IS a bit time consuming, particularly as the grasses have started to multiply!

I think that the Ctenochaetus species of Tangs tend to be relatively mild-mannered and should do okay with the Pipes, etc. I'm leaning towards a Coral Beauty if I go with a Centropyge...I had an argi once and he was a terror! Although I had an African Flameback that was just fine...At one point, I was thinking of a Flame for its sheer beauty, but I remember a Flame I had years ago that mowed down an entire crop of Caulerpa in a week...I wonder if the species' taste extends to seagrasses! Decisions, decisions!

I'd love to know what species of snail you're finding out there in the lagoon, Sarah! Keep us in the loop when you get an ID!

BTW, everyone- I am blown away by the speed by which Halophila throws out new growth- literally daily...A pretty and fascinating plant!

Scott

 

[algaeguy]

Just wanted to post a followup in case it might benefit some others out there who were curious.

I have "employed" a cute little Ctenochaetus Tang ( I believe C. striatus, but it might also be a juvenile C. tominiensis) that I have been quarantining, and within a few days, he has removed virtually all of the epiphytic algal growth from the seagrasses. He also does a great job of removing some of the dead material that seems to accumulate from around the base of the plants periodically. Fortunately (or unfortuantely?), there is always something for him to munch on in my tank.

I did a bit of research on line and was pleasantly surprised to discover that some Ctenochaetus species are actually known to eat the algal growths off of seagrasses as the bulk of their diet. Obviously, this makes them very helpful fishes for our purposes!

Scott