Help me get rid of this Lichen like stuff

[4ptbuck]

In my tank I have this algae that looks exactly like lichen/moss.
It doesn't grow too fast, and is a pale green colour.

Does anybody know what this is, and how to get rid of it?
My sailfin tank doesn't eat it, nor the snails, nor the lettuce nudi.

Here are a couple of pics...

Thanks
4pts....

 

[4ptbuck]

anybody???.....

 

[kmk2307]

Try looking up Dictyota. I had it take my take over and then die off on its own. Diadema urchins will devour it but they may harm some other sessile invertebrates in your tank. Do you test your nitrates and phosphates? If so, what are they?

Kevin

 

[4ptbuck]

I have a Diadema setosum that doesn't touch the moss. Nitrates and phosphates were zero last time I tested. I don't have an hair alage, and I don't think nutrients are an issues.

I have toothbrushed it off in the past, and have again recently. Based on the last experience after brushing, (then rinsing down the sink) it'll slowly come back.

I think I've found it. I got a mix of Dictyota dichotoma and Dictyota linearis.

Now how do I get rid of it.

Now back to the urchin, what the heck is a 'sessile invertebrates '? Do I need to worry aout anything?

 

[kmk2307]

Are you sure it is Diadema? I have heard some people say that Diadema munched on sessile invertebrtes like corals. I suspect some species are more strictly herbivorous while others will graze on animal tissue also. I was under the impression that Diadema just love brown algae. What do you see your urchin eat? FWIW, Dictyota is a brown algae so generalizations made about the ecology of that group (e.g.. many thrive in low nutrient waters, many produce bad tasting compounds) apply to it. Its possible the Dictyota will just go away on its own as mine did. I have heard others report this as well. Otherwise, you may have to add a refugium that is brighly lit and try to cultivate fast growing green algae (e.g.. Caulerpa, Chaetomorpha) that can out-compete the Dictyota.

GL,
Kevin

 

[4ptbuck]

In regards to the urchin, I am quite sure it is a Diadema.
Here's a picture...

His 'butt' has the orange ring around the 'bubble' and has blue dots versus lines.

He a suspect in some of my xenia loss and zoo loss. I have had sick stalks dissapear, as well as tranplanted zoo loss. He hasn't touched anything other corals that I suspect him of. Other corals in my tank include mushrooms, anthelias, hammer, bubble, and brain. My urchin is defiantley a coraline muncher. He leaves he classic white trail of newly exposed rock. He is always crapping out small grains of sand, which I suspect is pulled off with the coraline. When I first introduced him, I had some hair algae, which I am sure he has consumed.

In regards to the Dictyota, I have had it since the start of my tank. I have taken as much rock out as I could, and toothbrushed and rinsed. It has always grown back to the point where it is a carpet of moss. In reality it isn't so bad, but it has spread, and I don't want a moss tank.

Nothing in my tank touches it. Alage eaters include:
Astrea, blue hermits (now in the sump... snail killers), nass snails, bumble bee snails, sailfin tang, lawnmower (RIP), and the Diadema.

I believe I could turn my sump into a refugium. But honestly I didn't want to go through the trouble. Currently guessing I have a 20g plexi sump, baffles on both sides, with about a 10g section in the middle that has an inch of CC. All I'd need do is add the plants and the lights.

I believe my water conditions are good, no nitrates or phosphates detected. The only advantage would be increased pod production, which is never bad.

 

[Tomoko Schum]

I was plagued by golden dictyota for quite a while. I picked up a sea hare variety called dolabella auricularia and it devoured every bit of them within two weeks. I believe that the sea hare is the same one as those sold by blowfishaquatics.

http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet.cfm?base=dolaauri

Tomoko

 

[cnidaria nut]

you didn't say how large your tank was, but naso sp. tangs generally love to munch dictyota. if your tank is large enough try one.

 

[4ptbuck]

36g bowfront,
already have a sailfin tang....

 

[Tomoko Schum]

My rabbit fish ate some dictyota. A royal sea urchin I added ate a good bit of them as well, but nothing seems to beat the dolabella sea hare.

Tomoko