invasive macro algaes

[Oldude]

I have these growing in my reef tank and they seem to spread really quickly. Any ideas what they are and how to control them and are they the same plant?

 

[aquarius77]

I have seen it discussed before on the borads recently so your not the only one. Hopefully someone else can be helpfull and link you, i dont even know where to begin searching.

 

[Ladipyg]

Try the aglae and marine plant forum...might have better luck. Also a shot a little further away, to gage size...the close ups are GREAT though...

 

[skeeter-doc]

looks like it may be Fauchea sp. which is hard to control, sorry

 

[LeslieH]

With that sort of dichotomous branching, color, and pattern on the fronds I'd think it was some species of Dictyota. There are some posts concerning Dictyota control here on RC - check this one out first http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1032443&highlight=dictyota+control and there's this page as well http://www.wetwebmedia.com/brnalgfaqs.htm

http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=11373
http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=11373

 

[Plantbrain]

Looks like Dictyota to me.........I just picked it clean and toothbrushed it.

I used it for a macro algae tank, but like most weeds, control is labor intensive.

Generally, reducing NO3 can help a lot, even if just for a couple of weeks or less.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[johnmaloney]

It looks cool to me, the best way to get rid of it would be to sell it here....

 

[rexdenton]

Codium Geppiorum, Pacific...Oh, Johnny, you don't want this...it is very invasive and will commandeer the tank. I ID'd this and am currently trying to control it. I have started by removing as much as possible, performing a 30% H20 and introdicing some Emeralds, which are indifferent to anything they can cram into their mouths. One thing that eats it is Urchins of the Diadema (long spined) family (stetosum and one other, I forgot). If they were not so prone to knock things over, I would have on in there now.

 

[Plantbrain]

Do you have a reference for it being Codium?
Looks like no Codium gepporium I've ever seen.
It does look very much like a number of Dictyotas...........

Here's a pic of the Codium you listed:
http://florabase.calm.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/26673

http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=11848

Compare the blades, are they round of flattened?
Most Codiums are a nice green and possess round blades such as the one you listed for the ID.

The above weed is neither round, nor green.
But the cures are the same


Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[rexdenton]

I think you have it right and I have it wrong! I stand corrected. That said, I went with the first pic I found, and it was wrong. That said, the algae in question is invasive, aggressive and not a popular food source in the tank!!