Does bryopsis sporulate?

[rssjsb]

This may be a dumb question, but I'm just wondering if what I have is bryopsis or something else.

I didn't suspect bryopsis originally because people kept referring to it as "hair algae." However, after doing a little research, I'm thinking that may be what this is. It looks like a darker green miniature version of feather caulerpa and appears to spread by runner (it's not feather caulerpa - I have some of that, too).

For the second time yesterday, just as the growth had reached a point where I was ready to transfer my pincushion urchin (who cleared up the same algae in a different tank) to take care of the problem, I woke up to find cloudy water and white algae. So far, I've added carbon and it's cleared up with no apparent ill effects to the other tank residents (my RBTA was kind of unhappy yesterday, but is back to normal today).

I know it would be easier if I had a picture, but the "leaves" are all gone.

Any thoughts?

 

[graveyardworm]

Could be Caulerpa Verticillata. See here, http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1017894&highlight=verticillata.

 

[rssjsb]

Hmm. I don't think that's what it is. The picture in that thread is a little blown out so it's hard to see the structure, but I think it's a little more "fern-y" than what I've got.

I also looked at the picture link that you provided in that link. The plant in my tank also does not have that structure - disc-shaped leaves at nodes along a stem. As a digression, I've had freshwater plants that look like that: http://www.aquariumplants.com/PhotoGallery.asp?ProductCode=bp742

Anyway, can I interpret your response as meaning that you don't think this is bryopsis?

I suppose it's sort of academic, since this last event has convinced me to move the urchin over if/when it comes back.

Thanks.

 

[graveyardworm]

I honestly have no idea what it might be without a picture. You suggested that it sporulated, I have not heard of bryopsis sporulating and clouding a tank as of yet. C. Verticillata looks very similar to bryopsis, and caulerpa has been known to sporulate.

So your plant does not have disc shaped leaves at nodes along the stem?