Green Bubbles - What's UP?

[ctb42ctb]

I got some green bubbles forming on my rock. They don't look like the bubble algea I have growing in my fug. They are dark green very tight round and hard bubbles smaller than a marble. They appear to be spreading and I don't like them... Can someone tell me what they are and give me some advice as to how to get ride? Thanks in advance - CB

 

[DrBDC]

That's bubble algae. You probably have grape caulerpa in the fuge.

 

[MayoBoy]

Next time you do a water change, use some fairly ridgid tubing and as you're siphoning, scrape the bubbles off the rock. If you pop them, they'll spread their devil spawn. If you pop them while you're siphoning, you should suck the devil spawn up.

 

[mpcart]

Here's a good article on bubble algae. Note that is says popping small ones is low risk.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-02/hcj/feature/index.php

-Mike

 

[geoxman]

lice

 

[JxMetal]

lice? :lol:

I got lucky and got some crabs...........wait there's more to the story. I got emerald crabs that actually ate bubble algae. I had a bunch of little clusters forming on a rock and it was gone in a day.

 

[ctb42ctb]

Thanks peoples! The article was nice. I think I'll try the screw driver siphon trick and look for an Emerald Crab long term. Has anyone had any problems with them? I have a 150 wanta be reef with about 225lbs of rock, bunch a zoo's, shrooms, candy cane and some other misc polyps. Any problems with a coral banded shrimp or bubble tip? Anyone with an Emerald Crab for sale? - CB

 

[DrBDC]

Emerald crabs are hit or miss just keep an eye on them to make sure they're not picking polyps. An occasional night check would be prudent. FWIW no crabs are considered truely reef safe except bandit acro crabs.

 

[ctb42ctb]

Screw driver and siphon worked liked a charm... Popped right off... Thanks again!