Darn Bubble Algae

[hondadude2k5]

Is the Mithrax crab the only thing that will eat bubble algae or is their something else? What causes bubble algae to bloom? Any help is great as they are becoming abundant in my tank.

 

[fishaholic911]

Pull them out by hand.

 

[McCrary]

Throw a couple mithrax crabs in, pulling them by hand can be a pain and if you pop them it releases more spores.

 

[owsi]

How does a Emerald crab eat bubbles without popping them. Crabs are opportunistic feeders and will eat fish, shrimp and anything else they can catch. By hand with spoon nosed tweezers is my way, never had an outbreak/spread breaking a few.

 

[fishaholic911]

I agree that mithrax crabs are not careful they must also pop them. I have poped many and never had an outbreak. I think it is all a myth about poping them and releasing any spores.

 

[McCrary]

Unfortunately it is not a myth that popping bubble algae will release spores. Mithrax crabs do pop the bubble algae, but they eat the new stuff so quickly that you don't notice. I used to think that you could pop the bubble algae without problems (I had always popped them without an outbreak), but when I saw the data on the release of spores when they are popped, I quickly decided that popping them was a bad idea. I have about 6 mithrax crabs in my tank and they are great for keeping everything nice and clean, as long as they have leftovers to eat they are content with leaving the fish alone.