Bubble Algae

[Foody]

Leave it to the LFS to introduce Bubble Algae into my system. Grrr. Several weeks ago I found a couple of polyps. When I went to remove them I only found one. Last week my wife discovered 4 more, all in the same location. During today's water change I went to remove them and they were gone. Are there livestock that eat them? Yellow Tang, Clarkiis, Coral Banded Shrimp, Peppermint Shrimp, Sea Serpent Starfish, Hermit Crabs, Sand Conch.

 

[Jacwil]

Emerald crabs may help.

Be careful removing them...try to keep them in tact. I've heard that if they rupture they can spread badly although I can't imagine an Emerald crab munching on one carefully.

 

[Foody]

Something in my tank is absolutely eating them. Or carrying them to the top and throwing them overboard. Trying to figure out which of mine could be responsible. I can't imagine my Deresa clam is heading over there in the night hours and munching on it.

 

[EllieSuz]

You can't blame this one on the LFS. The spores for these things lurk in the rock and maybe even on a frag you import just waiting for conditions to be right to "bloom".

 

[Foody]

I didn't have them until I bought a "rock" from TRS. Saw it the next day on that rock. Next spores were on the other rock, bought at the same time, same place.

 

[Jacwil]

Yea don't blame LFS...scrutinize everything before it enters your system.

 

[Randy15]

Unfortunately that's the gamble on live rock. Sorry to hear but I'm sure you can beat it. Good luck!

 

[Foody]

Nobody had any idea if any livestock actually eats this stuff? I swear it's disappearing between the time I see it and when I lower my water enough (changes) to get my hand to the bottom of the reef.

 

[Jacwil]

Every single inhabitant you listed with exception to the conch, is more than capable of rupturing/removing them from the rock...could be YT picking at them or the shrimps or hermits crawling over them and just that action could pop them into making you think their being eaten up.

Watch your tank and note where the current bubble algae exists and see who frequents that area...use a flashlight during lights off as many inverts scavenge nocturnally.

 

[Bluephish13]

I have battled it for a while and they can detach and float around the tank only to get trapped and seed a different area. Pretty annoying relentless stuff. Coraline algae and sps corals will grow right over the bubbles, so in the end rather harmless.

bubble algae is 2nd to aiptasia nems in my most hated hitch hikers.