Red Leafy Macro Algae ID?

[The Mandrian]

I have this beautiful bright red macro algae growing in my 45g Tideline tank. It has rolling,smooth edges and looks a lot like romaine lettuce you buy in the produce section. The problem is that it is popping up everywhere and I have no idea what it is. If anyone can ID it for me I would be grateful. Also if anyone knows if anything eats this stuff I’ll start taking it to my 120g and buy the fish that feeds on it

 

[Reefing102]

Maybe halymenia maculata or some other type of halymenia

 

[Yodeling]

Absolutely gorgeous, never seen that before.

 

[kharmaguru]

Maybe halymenia maculata or some other type of halymenia

Thank you for not saying - "it's Rhodophyta" lol. Right up there with "it's a polychaete worm".

 

[The Mandrian]

Absolutely gorgeous, never seen that before.

Thank you, I think it’s beautiful. It’s popping up all over the tank so I’m going to have to do some major removal. I love the look of it but cannot find any pictures of it anywhere. I would rather feed it to something than just throw it away.

 

[Reefing102]

Could always sell it to people locally or once you meet the selling thresholds here, could sell it in the selling forums. I know a lot of people have macro tanks or display refugiums

 

[griss]

Any idea where it came from? How old is your tank and what kind of rock did you use?

 

[Misled]

That is some pretty stuff!!!

 

[The Mandrian]

Any idea where it came from? How old is your tank and what kind of rock did you use?

I upgraded from a 14g Fluval to a 40g about 6 months ago. I transferred everything from the old tank and I purchased some live rock from a local store that I’ve used for 10+ years. They don’t know what it is either. The only thing I can think is that it needed the right lighting to take off. It is only spreading to the areas of the tank that have the light directly over it.

 

[The Mandrian]

Could always sell it to people locally or once you meet the selling thresholds here, could sell it in the selling forums. I know a lot of people have macro tanks or display refugiums

Unfortunately I don’t really know anyone locally. I think I’m going to try to put it in my 125g and and the sump on it to see if it will take off in there. I also looked into a foxface rabbitfish which seems to be the only fish that may eat it

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Wow that is pretty stuff. Possibly a Nemastoma Sp. Almost looks like mushroom anemones.

 

[dochoot]

Really cool. Any update?