Lets play algae ID game

[mcdonous]

Here are a bunch of comparison pics. The goal is to identify them for myself as well as have some clear pictures for others to use and compare.

First some Gracilaria, these all came from Gulf Coast Ecosystems

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59224374@N08/10971760723/" title="Gracilaria 1 by nevets_mcd1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5521/10971760723_5363770b9b.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="Gracilaria 1"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59224374@N08/10971699894/" title="Gracilaria 2 by nevets_mcd1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7372/10971699894_42e6d9faaa.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="Gracilaria 2"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59224374@N08/10971524255/" title="Gracilaria 3 by nevets_mcd1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5549/10971524255_358f50b00d.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="Gracilaria 3"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59224374@N08/10971523695/" title="Gracilaria comparison by nevets_mcd1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3768/10971523695_0fb6a4b200.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="Gracilaria comparison"></a>

 

[mcdonous]

Botryocladia

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59224374@N08/10971702884/" title="Botryocladia by nevets_mcd1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3710/10971702884_f05244e157.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="Botryocladia"></a>

Bryothamnion

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59224374@N08/10971764823/" title="Bryothamnion by nevets_mcd1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5498/10971764823_56e79b83ff.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="Bryothamnion"></a>

I think this is Eucheuma

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59224374@N08/10971621836/" title="Eucheuma by nevets_mcd1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2852/10971621836_72bcb39d61.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="Eucheuma"></a>

 

[mcdonous]

?Gracilaria Hayi

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59224374@N08/10971700554/" title="Gracilaria Hayi by nevets_mcd1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3742/10971700554_a7a31c4c88.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="Gracilaria Hayi"></a>

Unknown Comparison - This grows in the same shape as the previous, but is darker brown/purple depending on lighting. In my tank currently the tops stay almost a yellow brown.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59224374@N08/10971524805/" title="Halymenia hayi, Unkown red comparison by nevets_mcd1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7399/10971524805_ea733983e1.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="Halymenia hayi, Unkown red comparison"></a>

 

[mcdonous]

Unknown - I got this from a Gulf Coast Ecosystem Red Sampler. Thick and leathery. Rough surface

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59224374@N08/10971533315/" title="Unkown Red 2 by nevets_mcd1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3801/10971533315_3dd1ccf706.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="Unkown Red 2"></a>

Super thick and rubbery Unknown Red - I got this from a Gulf Coast Ecosystem Red Sampler.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59224374@N08/10971625186/" title="Unkown Thick Rubbery Red by nevets_mcd1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3828/10971625186_7b56d7e4ee.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="Unkown Thick Rubbery Red"></a>

I think this is the Violet Flame from LA Reefs, I know I bought one from them once but don't know if this is it. Unknown

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59224374@N08/10971625446/" title="VioletFlames by nevets_mcd1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7409/10971625446_17589ec205.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="VioletFlames"></a>

 

[mcdonous]

Haliptilon - Got this from LA Reefs

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59224374@N08/10971706644/" title="Haliptilon by nevets_mcd1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3770/10971706644_2f3d2fae8a.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="Haliptilon"></a>

Unknown - Pretty sure this is "Red Rare Branching Macro" from LA Reefs

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59224374@N08/10971772873/" title="MysteryRed1 by nevets_mcd1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2857/10971772873_04607faba4.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="MysteryRed1"></a>

A very fine Halymenia type - Unknown - Bought from Inland Aquatics

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59224374@N08/10971707484/" title="Halymenia sp by nevets_mcd1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3702/10971707484_852132b302.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="Halymenia sp"></a>

Halymenia (Dragon's breath) - This is a very poor sample. Before my tank move/crash it would have been bright red. I have only timy samples surviving but not thriving.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59224374@N08/10971767313/" title="Dragon'sBreathPoorSample by nevets_mcd1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5539/10971767313_cd16bf9471.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="Dragon'sBreathPoorSample"></a>

 

[mcdonous]

A tiny scrap found in my latest Red sampler from Gulf Coast Ecosystems. not much to go on. About 1 1/2 inches long. Rougher texture then Gracilaria

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59224374@N08/10971534205/" title="Small Unknown red frag by nevets_mcd1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5477/10971534205_cc87eaecc5.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="Small Unknown red frag"></a>

Two unknown thin branching reds found in my Barbata from Gulf Coast Ecosystems

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59224374@N08/10971624896/" title="Unkown Reds 3 and 4 by nevets_mcd1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7405/10971624896_1e136b033e.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="Unkown Reds 3 and 4"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59224374@N08/10971533145/" title="Unkown Red 5 by nevets_mcd1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3666/10971533145_6212bd7675.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="Unkown Red 5"></a>

Two more unknown reds. They have different branch thickness and pattern but both form clumps. Reminds me of pattern on blue otcho

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59224374@N08/10971710404/" title="Small Unknown reds by nevets_mcd1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5475/10971710404_16d62204c5.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="Small Unknown reds"></a>

 

[mcdonous]

Halimedas

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59224374@N08/10971529785/" title="Halimeda 1 by nevets_mcd1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7318/10971529785_706596e7da.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="Halimeda 1"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59224374@N08/10971706964/" title="Halimeda 2 by nevets_mcd1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3829/10971706964_90d74dc761.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="Halimeda 2"></a>

Cymopolia barbata

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59224374@N08/10971627256/" title="Cymopolia barbata by nevets_mcd1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2822/10971627256_839d74a9f1.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="Cymopolia barbata"></a>

Codium - two types

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59224374@N08/10971705174/" title="Codium by nevets_mcd1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3773/10971705174_c2f7109c4a.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="Codium"></a>

 

[mcdonous]

Caulerpas with fronds

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59224374@N08/10971527895/" title="Caulerpa Fronds Size Comparison by nevets_mcd1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5550/10971527895_a29238ebb5.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="Caulerpa Fronds Size Comparison"></a>

Caulerpa ashmedii

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59224374@N08/10971774073/" title="Caulpera ashmeadii by nevets_mcd1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7352/10971774073_5c4a50f67d.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="Caulpera ashmeadii"></a>

Caulerpa with blades and bubbles

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59224374@N08/10971528335/" title="Caulerpa size comparison blades & bubbles by nevets_mcd1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3702/10971528335_fb3606d3ba.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="Caulerpa size comparison blades & bubbles"></a>

Caulerpa prolifica

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59224374@N08/10971536275/" title="Caulerpa prolifera by nevets_mcd1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3772/10971536275_b3d132bd34.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="Caulerpa prolifera"></a>

Caulerpa racemosa

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59224374@N08/10971619406/" title="Caleurpa Racemosa by nevets_mcd1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5526/10971619406_7e810840c0.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="Caleurpa Racemosa"></a>

Caulerpa brachypus, Caulerpa serrulata

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59224374@N08/10971527235/" title="Caulerpa brachypus, Caulerpa serrulata by nevets_mcd1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5529/10971527235_c7bb12f7fb.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="Caulerpa brachypus, Caulerpa serrulata"></a>

Caulerpa sp Var peltata

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59224374@N08/10971712364/" title="Caulerpa sp Var peltata by nevets_mcd1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3786/10971712364_8cf443b714.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="Caulerpa sp Var peltata"></a>

 

[mcdonous]

Can you help fill out the list, Including the likely species if only the Genus is given.

1 Gracilaria
2 Gracilaria
3 Gracilaria
4 Botryocladia
5 Bryothamnion
6 Eucheuma
7 Gracilaria
8 ?
9 ?
10 ?
11 ?
12 ?
13 Haliptilon
14 ?
15 ?
16 Halymenia
17 ?
18 ?
19 ?
20 ?
21 Halimeda
22 Halimeda
23 Halimeda
24 Halimeda
25 Halimeda
26 Cymopolia barbata
27 Codium
28 Codium
29 Caulerpa ?
30 Caulerpa mexicani
31 Caulerpa ashmedii
32 Caulerpa prolifica
33 Caulerpa racemosa
34 Caulerpa brachypus
35 Caulerpa serrulata
36 Caulerpa sp Var peltata

As you can probably tell I took the pictures by putting down a glass plate and placing a second glass plate over the algae. Like a giant microscope slide.

Hopefully others out there with ones I don't have (Trade Me ) can do similar and post in this thread. I would especially like to see a comparison between the other frond Caulerpas i.e. Taxifolia and Paspoloides

-Steve

 

[mcdonous]

No one can further identify any of the samples shown?

-Steve

 

[tektite]

17, 18 look like laurencia, 7 looks like red titan more than gracilaria hayi, and 10 is LA Reef's violet flames.