ID this Red Algae please
- Thread starter CoMMaNdeR
- Start date
Samala
New member
I think this thread will help you out with ideas on how to control this algae and prevent its spread to other areas in the system - Nightmare Red Cotton Algae: Took Over My Tank, an older one from the macro forum.
Unfortunately ID of these kinds of 'cottony' reds is pretty much impossible at hobbyist level. We'd need extreme closeups of the detail of the fronds and even then its a total guessing game between at least twenty genus of red 'cottony' like alga. Differences being apparently between the reproductive structures at that point. (Yawn, right?
) Rhodophyta are always the hardest to ID.
Anywho, even without knowing its precise name, you should be able to get the upper hand. I wish you luck!
>Sarah
Unfortunately ID of these kinds of 'cottony' reds is pretty much impossible at hobbyist level. We'd need extreme closeups of the detail of the fronds and even then its a total guessing game between at least twenty genus of red 'cottony' like alga. Differences being apparently between the reproductive structures at that point. (Yawn, right?
) Rhodophyta are always the hardest to ID. Anywho, even without knowing its precise name, you should be able to get the upper hand. I wish you luck!
>Sarah
Samala
New member
I would pull it out, yes, but read threw the thread I linked above first to be sure thats a good course of action. (Cant really see why not, but I havent dealt with this in person.) I would not advise scrubbing the LR clean of this alga while in the tank itself.. this will spread spores.
Like all algae, this one will be feeding off of nutrients in the system, forms of nitrogen, phosphorus, and a slew of micronutrients, including calcium, iron, magnesium, etc.
>Sarah
Like all algae, this one will be feeding off of nutrients in the system, forms of nitrogen, phosphorus, and a slew of micronutrients, including calcium, iron, magnesium, etc.
>Sarah
melev
Well-known member
Here you go: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-12/nftt/index.htm
CoMMaNdeR
New member
Like I said this algae is in my refugium, so I am not worried alot, even though if I will see it in the main tank I will be alot worried. Today I pulled it out from my fuge, tried my best but there are still few small patches that I couldn't take out with my hand.
From the links you gave me guys it seems that the mexican turbos will do the job and they are the only method people have tried succesfully.
Is there any other method I can use for helping my fuge eliminate this red algae ? I was thinking to use a phosphate removal or something like that. What do you think guys ?
From the links you gave me guys it seems that the mexican turbos will do the job and they are the only method people have tried succesfully.
Is there any other method I can use for helping my fuge eliminate this red algae ? I was thinking to use a phosphate removal or something like that. What do you think guys ?
mm949
New member
i had the same problem and found the id julians sprungs algae book...it IS a macro plant that starts out as red hair turning into a Gorgeous plant...the hair stage for me lasted about 4-6weeks before i started to see it morph into a plant...like most algaes if water is on the mark they normally burn them selves out after removing whatever nuttrient they are using for nurishment...
good luck...
good luck...
CoMMaNdeR
New member
Guys, this damn cotton algae is still in my tank. I didn't bought mexican turbo snails yet like many suggest because the LFS didn't import yet, but I wish to know if there is something that I can do or if there is a slug or invert that can eat this stuff?
Right now I put a Sea Hare aplysia.sp and hope that he will help me and eat that cotton algae
What do you think?
Right now I put a Sea Hare aplysia.sp and hope that he will help me and eat that cotton algae
What do you think?
Amphiprion
Premium Member
Eek, Asparagopsis. mm949, the gametophyte is very attractive, but the sporophyte stage is murder. The store where I work had/has an infested tank. The only way we reduced the numbers was to scrub/remove it and keep nutrients low. The latter doesn't help that much, as this alga is very tolerant of lower levels, but it doesn't hurt. Some have reported that mexican turbos eat the stuff, but I haven't seen too much validity/consistency in that claim. I don't think the usual Aplysiid would eat it, but you never know.
CoMMaNdeR
New member
This cotton algae is only in my fuge, along with chaeto and caulerpa. Honestly the chaeto and caulerpa have some parts covered with the cotton algae and I am worrying that will eat my microalgae.
Like I said I don't have turbo snails to put in there, and I will take a chance with my Sea hare and see what will it do.
One time I introduced a seaweed in my fuge and on it came out 2 small slugs, one of them was red very similar to the sea hare. After a week they ate alot of the cotton algae but unfortunately they both dissapeared and I don't know what were exactly, I mean the species.
I am trying to manually remove this stuff but it is nearly impossible because when you touch it and try to pull it out it breaks in small pieces...
Like I said I don't have turbo snails to put in there, and I will take a chance with my Sea hare and see what will it do.
One time I introduced a seaweed in my fuge and on it came out 2 small slugs, one of them was red very similar to the sea hare. After a week they ate alot of the cotton algae but unfortunately they both dissapeared and I don't know what were exactly, I mean the species.
I am trying to manually remove this stuff but it is nearly impossible because when you touch it and try to pull it out it breaks in small pieces...
Amphiprion
Premium Member
Yes, and I understand your frustration. I know this is difficult, but you need to minimize breakage at this point--siphon if you have to. At this life stage, this alga can reproduce from the broken pieces.
Travis L. Stevens
Active member
Tons of great information in this thread. Good luck with your battle. Unfortunately, it will ALWAYS be in your tank even if you can't see it. I have to agree that a Mexican Turbo Snail munches this stuff down like candy.
Travis L. Stevens
Active member
You're very lucky. My Trochus never touched it. Yet, I've had three Mexican Turbo Snails from different times and from different LFSs, and all three have eaten it.
