algae...what to do

[meisel1]

I have an algae growth in my 100 gal fowlr tank that I've identified as caulerpa taxifolia, should I work to remove this growth off the rock that it is growing on or can I leave it and hope that my snails, lawnmower blenny and coral beauty will keep it in check. I dont know much about this plant and would like any information on that I could get. The growth is still quite small and not unattractive but I would like to know what I'm dealing with. The tank is still fairly new [8 weeks] but I dont want to have a problem down the road.Thanx for any help.

 

[PatMayo]

The below statement tells me you should get rid of it. It you idetified it correctly it does not sound like something I would want in my tank. I found this after a quick 2 second google search.

Regards,

Pat


Caulerpa taxifolia is a marine, green alga, a certain strain of which is invading sectors of the western coasts of the Mediterranean Sea where it grows much more robustly than it does in its native range. In the Mediterranean it has spread into thousands of hectares where it fills the water column with hundreds of tons of plant biomass per hectare. It is protected from sea urchins, fish and other herbivores by its toxicity. Caulerpa taxifolia is native to the Caribbean and other tropical seas where it grows in small patches and does not present problems. However, it was reported in 2000 that the Mediterranean Sea strain of the alga was discovered in California waters, where it is not native, and where it may spread as it has in the Mediterranean.

 

[bertoni]

Caulerpa brachypus has been a problem for me since I let it loose in a couple of display tanks. Very pretty, but invasive. Your fish might keep it under control. I would eradicate it, though.

 

[meisel1]

thanks for the quick replys I'll get it out of my tank first thing in the morning. Again tahnks for the responses....cheers