Macroalgae ID

[chriscole]

Anyone know what this stuff is? And suggestions for anything that might eat it :/

The algae is extremely firmly attached to the rock, quite tough, smooth cylindrical structure.

Thanks,

Chris.

 

[jdieck]

Unless the branches are very strong (gracilaria's are not) it looks like Gracilaria which most Tangs and some turbo snails would eat.

 

[chriscole]

Thanks for the suggestion - but the stuff is very tough.
Has quite impressive tensile strength, quite rigid too. Sort of plastic-y feel to it.

Totally offtopic - but jdieck - what size helis do you fly? Have a little piccollo electric heli myself.

 

[jdieck]

HUH... You may not want me getting started on this one.

I started with the X-Cell 60 Gas. Once I was sure to keep it alive (after a couple of years practice) I wnt up a coule of ticks.
Now I have a custom with mostly hirobo gear but mod for added on ball bearing mounted linkage, multy layer blades, carbon fiber frame, tail boom and landing gear. Engine is an OS Max Heli BB ABC with mod carburator and radio as usual a programmable Futaba PCM.

 

[mejiggery]

I have the same algea its amazingly tuff.
I cant even pull it off the rock it, it eventually just snaps

 

[chriscole]

Just thought I'd bump this - still looking for an ID on the original pic, please

 

[jdieck]

I still think it is Gracilaria. By the way Mexican Turbos also eat it.

 

[mellen]

http://www.algaebase.org

Hit search and click images from drop down list. Need broadband to load the gallery of 1728 jpg's. When and if you see it, note the abrreviated name of image, re-enter algaebase in address bar back to main page you started at (gallery is a closed link/loop). Usually, first 3 letters of jpg title are genus (type in genus search bar), next 3 letters, species (as above, species search bar).

Regardless if they have it on file, it looks very healthy, outgassing little bubbles of O2 under good light. 'Tis a keeper - cut with razor where you don't want it.