I thought I had some simple algae growing on a live rock that I recently bought, but now that it is under my lights and good water conditions, I am thinking it is something else. I'll try to get close-up photos, but trying to describe it: Iti s covering an area of about 10 sqare inches, and it is green. On each stalk there are little round umbrellas radiating outward, and these umbrellas are spaced about every 1/8" up to the top of the stalk. The stalk itself is about 5/8, so there are approximately 3-4 of these umbrella shapes. Imagine an umbrella with just the wire frame, not the fabric on it, i.e. spokes on a wheel. Is there a site link that shows common aqua plants so I can page through them and find this stuff?
ID a green green plant
- Thread starter Steverino
- Start date
Samala
New member
Sounds like a Caulerpa species, perhaps Caulerpa verticillata. Check the Algae Slideshow for a positive ID.
>Sarah
>Sarah
graveyardworm
Premium Member
Does it look like this?
Samala: Good call! You win! Thanks for your input. That indeed looks like it. Here is a search link so you 'all know I am not crazy.
So now that I know what I have, do I want it in my tank? Do I need a blenny or something to devour it?
http://images.search.yahoo.com/sear...a.&fr=yfp-t-501&toggle=1&ei=UTF-8&fr2=tab-web
So now that I know what I have, do I want it in my tank? Do I need a blenny or something to devour it?
http://images.search.yahoo.com/sear...a.&fr=yfp-t-501&toggle=1&ei=UTF-8&fr2=tab-web
Samala
New member
This was a pretty good thread for identifying and attempting to get rid of this pest. We, at first, thought it was delightful, until we heard from other people who could not get rid of the stuff. It is very small and fragile, but apparently a few fish will eat it.. rabbits and tangs come to mind. What size is the tank its invading?
>Sarah
>Sarah
It is not really invading, it is limited to one single rock (a piece of live rock I bought) in my 75 gallon tank. It has not spread yet, but I have not had it more than a month or so. I have community fish, no plans for tangs or rabbits, although a yellow tang would be a colorful addition to my tank, but I have pajama cardinals and clownfish already.
Samala
New member
While I typically encourage people to keep macroalgae around because I think its pretty and beneficial to the tank, you may want to nip this one in the bud while its still contained to one rock. Just a thought. 
It is a very pretty alga, just has a reputation for getting out of hand. I have a feeling your tank must run pretty clean for nutrients if this guy isnt spreading rapidly.
>Sarah
It is a very pretty alga, just has a reputation for getting out of hand. I have a feeling your tank must run pretty clean for nutrients if this guy isnt spreading rapidly.
>Sarah
I see a couple little green stems growing on another rock! So, I think next time I do a water change with my gravel siphon I will be pulling out as much of that stuff as I can pull with my fingers without actually removing the rock from the tank, it has some other stuff on it that I want to keep, like a couple dark red mushrooms.
