Help - Caulerpa Taking Over

[cmador]

I went on vacation, came back and Caulerpa is taking over my main tank. ID is Caulerpa verticillata

From doing some research, it sounds like I'm going to have to do a total tear down. There is some on almost every rock in my tank. This is a 50 breeder. The only thing I've seen eat it is my emerald crab, but he can't make a dent in it. I've also tried lettuce nudis and a sea hare. Anyone have thoughts/experiences on how to get rid of this stuff?

 

[itZme]

My rabbitfish eats anything that looks like a plant
Dan had a small scribbled rabbitfish like mine when I was at Salty Critter yesterday.

Good luck.

 

[serpentman]

On occasion, I will put a small rock covered in caulerpa in my tank as a treat for my tang and rabbitfish. They usually completely clean in within 24hrs.

 

[cmador]

Sounds like adding a rabbitfish might solve my problem, I'm just not sure my tank is large enough to keep one long term. Does anyone have one I could borrow or want to go in on buying one?

 

[Tbohinc]

My foxface eats anything green

 

[itZme]

I could probably catch mine and let you hold him for a while but you are so far away it might be cheaper to just buy one than drive here and back. I might be interested in buying one off of you after it does its job. Let me know if you would like to work something out.

-- Kevin

 

[aquatictec]

algae from hell

algae from hell

We have never found anything that eats it. I would suggest taking a small rock of it to try out and see if any fish eats it before wasting your money on a fish for it.

Obviously something eats it or it would take over the world

 

[cmador]

Update

Update

Went to Salty last night and picked up a rabittfish - the most beautiful fish I've ever owned. I was at the point of tearing down my tank and this guy is a my last resort. The good news is that so far he's eating the Caulerpa. I only hope he finishes the job. Here's a (blurry) pic.

 

[itZme]

Pretty cool :thumbsup:
Scribbled rabbitfish are cool. I saw the first one in Andy's tank (bond069007) I think Mike, Jeff and I all had one too. I'm sure you know but worth mentioning just in case that they are venomous. If he outgrows your tank let me know. I like mine in the 75g downstairs and yours could live in the 92g corner when he retires from lawn mowing in your 50g.

 

[GSMguy]

picked up this guy at salty when they got all their rabbits in a couple weeks ago, i like the scribbled, mine is an orange spot, and he likes the greens.

 

[itZme]

Nick, I like the looks of those orange spots but have heard of a couple of horror stories where they have turned aggressive. I think Erik had one he was trying to get out.

He's a teensy little guy isn't he?

 

[cmador]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12671668#post12671668 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by itZme
Pretty cool :thumbsup:
Scribbled rabbitfish are cool. I saw the first one in Andy's tank (bond069007) I think Mike, Jeff and I all had one too. I'm sure you know but worth mentioning just in case that they are venomous. If he outgrows your tank let me know. I like mine in the 75g downstairs and yours could live in the 92g corner when he retires from lawn mowing in your 50g.

Thanks for the warning, the guy who helped me at Salty mentioned their spines and he loves to flash 'em up and down when my clownfish gives him the eye. Consider him yours, I'll let you know.

 

[GSMguy]

DP

 

[GSMguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12671872#post12671872 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by itZme
Nick, I like the looks of those orange spots but have heard of a couple of horror stories where they have turned aggressive. I think Erik had one he was trying to get out.

He's a teensy little guy isn't he?

he is pretty small ya, Erik took his back it ate some corals, mine so far has been a model citizen.