Macro Algae ID and help....

[dg13]

I have this red macro algae that has taken over my tank and I have been unable to identify it. Can someone ID it for me and tell me if there is something that will eat it. Just a note - I have new rock cycling and am going to replace all the rock in the tank, but want to know what it is so if I have a problem in the future I will know what to do. Since I have given up on the rock, the bubble algae is out of contral. I understand about nutrients and keeping them low to non existant to avoid the algae totally - right now I am looking for an ID. Pics aren't great, but the best I could do.

Thanks.

 

[dg13]

Sorry - pics are in my gallery.

 

[graveyardworm]

The pics really arent close enough for an id on the red algae, but it looks like you have more than one algae problem.

 

[dg13]

I added another pic to my gallery - it is better - hopefully good enough to help with an ID.

 

[dg13]

Just figured out how to get much better pics posted - see my gallery. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[cutegecko3]

what i saw in the largest and clearest pic was red hand garlacia(or how ever you spell that).

 

[dg13]

Thanks Gecko. I searched on red hand gracilaria and can't find anything. I found lots of info on red gracilaria and my algae is definitely not red gracilaria. Is there another name for red hand? My algae is short and tightly packed. When you remove some it comes off in clumps - it's sort of like a brillo pad.

 

[graveyardworm]

Red Dictyota.

http://www.saltcorner.com/sections/guest/algaepage/Red/reddictoya/Npunctatum.htm

 

[dg13]

Thanks David! Is this as nasty as the brown Dictyota? I am guessing yes since it's all over my tank. I found a fair amount of info on the brown variety, but couldn't find anything on the red. Anyone know of a good place to find info? Is there anything that will eat this?

 

[graveyardworm]

Its not as common as the brown dictyota, but probably as bad when it gets in there. Given the lack of reports, known herbivores are limited. Generally the reds are more desireable as food for herbivores, a search may yield some results.

 

[dg13]

Just to give a quick update - I replaced all the rock in my tank and sure enough after a few months I started seeing the Dictyota pop up again. I was devastated. As a final effort before giving up, last week I got a rabbitfish and a naso tang and both eat it!