Unknown Red Algae

[Dale Over]

Hello Everyone,

I started a 50 gal FOWLR tank about 4 months ago. A few weeks ago I noticed a red "fuzzy" growth starting in a few spots on some of the rock (Fiji). It has gotten large enough for me to try to photograph and identify. Does anyone recognize this algae as good or bad to have in the tank? It is somewhat coarse to the touch and doesn't seem to be very fragile. It is a fine texture and for now seems to want to grow in clumps.

The snails (Margarita, Cerith, Nerite) and the Scarlet Hermits don't seem interested in it. The only fish I have in the tank are two false clowns and a firefish which I don't think are big algae eaters anyway and they pretty much ignore it as well.

I plan to add a Flame Angel in a couple of months which may decide it's good to eat but I thought I'd see if anyone might be able to give me an idea of whether to leave it till then or begin trying to remove it from the tank.

Thanks,
Dale

 

[aquaman67]

[welcome]

It could be turf algae, but I'm guessing.

 

[bluenassarius]

i personally haven't had any experience with that type of algae. if you break off a piece of it and it starts to attach to something else it might be a problem. someone gave me a clump of macro and that thing broke off pieces of itself and attached everywhere... rock, corals, glass, other macro etc. i'm still battling it til this day

 

[Maximus]

I have the same algae everywhere and just got a doliatus. Let's just say the doliatus is super plump now!

 

[kevin_mic]

Maximus, what type of doliatus. I searched and I was able to find some info about a doliatus but not much. More info would be nice.

So is your fish chowing down on the algea and taking care of the problem or is it just nipping at it here and there?

I have been trying to rid myself of this algea as well and it just wont stop. I have tried a tang and a foxface and neither have cared. Then I tried emerald crabs and they don't seem to make any sort of dent.

 

[Maximus]

It's chowing down. I got it from Marine depot live and so far that is all it eats! I couldn't believe it because when I first put him in, he would not eat anything. After a few days, he became less timid and started venturing out. Now, I see him eating the red turf type algae all the time. He really is doing a number on the algae.

 

[kevin_mic]

One last question Maximus. Does your red algea look like this when it grows out?
When mine grows it looks exactly like the above picture (the red/purple stuff) and if I try to remove it it just rips off leaving little stubs everywhere and then a bunch of small stuff breaks off of the algea only to go and attach somewhere else. And this doliatus is doing the trick?

 

[Maximus]

The algae that I have grows in a straight fashion. It doesn't seem as pink as yours but is a deeper red. I'll try to take pics of it when I get home later tonight.

 

[Maximus]

Here it is:

 

[rfb3]

Maximus,
How's your red algae issue? I have the same stuff everywhere in my tank! At first I kinda liked it, but now it's beginning to overgrow other corals!
Is the rabbit fish doing away with all the red algae?
Thanks,
freddie

 

[Maximus]

The doliatus is kicking butt! She has the whole tank under control now. There are still a few small patches but I'm sure those will be short lived. She's a lil shy but great fish nonetheless.

 

[ttwong]

Hello all,

I've posted a pic on my problem algae, does anyone have this in their tanks?

Thanks,

Terrance

 

[kevin_mic]

That reminds me of my algea I posted a picture of up above. As of yet I haven't found anything to take care of it.

Currently I have tried a sailfin tang, which does eat it but not at a rate that keeps up with the growth of the algea. I also tried a regular foxface which didn't touch it. I have also tried 5 emrald crabs which were a waste.

I would like to try the dolatus and see what happens. Let me know if you find the miricle cure.

 

[ttwong]

Kevin,

My algae is over almost every surface area of rock exposed to light. In the dimmer areas (more blue light), the colour tends to be more reddish like your picture, but in areas exposed directly to metal halides, its brownish.

Terrance

 

[kevin_mic]

Actually the picture above isn't my picture, its another persons on Reef Central that seems to have the same algea as well.

The color of my algea looks like that in the shade or under my 20k halide. Under my 10k halide the algea looks more brown and washed out. My algea is trying to take over my rocks but due to aggressive algea control I have been able to fight it with sime limited success. My method of removal is to use 3 things, 1, my hands to just rip it out, 2, tweesers, 3, a dentist tool to actually scrape it off the rock. Unfortunatly option 2 and 3 take a long time but also do a fairly good job, but even after that it blows all over the tank and starts growing else where.

If something actually chowed down on it that would be nice.