This tree is getting big! What is it?

[crpeck]

Please help me ID.

This came on live rock about 4 months ago. At the time is was maybe 2 inches tall. Now its almost 5 inches tall and really full. I really like it because the crabs crawl around in it and the Coral Beauty Angel picks at it.

Wondering if its time to prune it back a little?

Any info is appreciated.

THANKS!
Cathy

 

[crpeck]

Here is a close up.

 

[RicksReefs]

looks like Codium isthmocladum aka 'dead man's fingers'

 

[crpeck]

Thanks!

I did a search on that and didn't find anything but I'll keep looking. Anything I should know or worry about? Good or bad? Pruning okay? Does it have any of the risk of putting out nutrients like the caulerpa? If I put a Tang in the tank, will it eat it?

Thanks again.

Cathy

 

[RicksReefs]

well, i've only had it pop up a couple of times & it
never lasted long. i see it on the shallow inner reefs
alot so i'd assume it'd be good for nutrient export.
i don't know what eats it or it's other characteristics.

 

[crpeck]

I think you've got the name right. Here is a pic I found on the web:

http://www.edie.net/gf.cfm?L=left_frame.html&R=http://www.edie.net/news/Archive/6574.cfm

It must be tough and not need anything too special 'cause it made it through my tank cycle and is still growing. I can't imagine spread would be a problem because if I decided I didn't like it I could just pull it out since it grows out of one trunk or stalk.

When you say "it didn't last long" ... did something eat it? or did it just die off?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Saltydoggie]

It's a nice looking macro algae in any case.

 

[RicksReefs]

sorry, i really can't remember what happened to
it at this point, this was before florida rock was
banned 10-15 years ago. my reef tank of the day
doesn't compare to what we have today, so i may
have just killed it with ignorance.

 

[crpeck]

It's a nice looking macro algae in any case.

Yeah ... thanks. I think so too.

Here is a pic where you can get an idea how nice it looks in the tank. Don't mind the leather ... it was having a blue moment but it's fine and healthy.

 

[crpeck]

oops .. the pic didn't attach