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FAQs on Marine Algae Identification 35

Related Articles: Avoiding Algae Problems in Marine System, Algae Control, Marine Maintenance, Nutrient Control and Export, Marine Scavengers, Snails, Hermit Crabs, Mithrax/Emerald Green Crabs, Sea Urchins, Blennies, Algae Filters, Ctenochaetus/Bristle Mouth Tangs, Zebrasoma/Sailfin Tangs, Skimmers, Skimmer Selection, Marine Algae, Coralline Algae, Green Algae, Brown Algae, Blue-Green "Algae"/(Cyanobacteria), Diatoms, Brown Algae,

Related FAQs: Algae ID Visual Guide, Marine Algae ID 1, Marine Algae ID 2, Marine Algae ID 3, Marine Algae ID 4, Marine Algae ID 5, Marine Algae ID 6, Marine Algae ID 7, Marine Algae ID 8, Marine Algae ID 9, Marine Algae ID 10, Marine Algae ID 11, Marine Algae ID 12, Marine Algae ID 13, Marine Algae ID 14, Marine Algae ID 15, Marine Algae ID 16, Marine Algae ID 17, Marine Algae ID 18, Marine Algae ID 19, Marine Algae ID 20, Marine Algae ID 21, Marine Algae ID 21, Marine Algae ID 23, Marine Algae ID 24, Marine Algae ID 25, SW Algae ID 26, SW Algae ID 27, SW Algae ID 28, SW Algae ID 29, SW Algae ID 30, SW Algae ID 31, SW Algae ID 32, SW Algae ID 33, SW Algae ID 34, SW Algae ID 36SW Algae ID 37SW Algae ID 38SW Algae ID 39& Marine Algae Control FAQs 2, Marine Algaecide Use, Nutrient Limitation, Marine Algae Eaters, Culturing Macro-Algae; Controlling: BGA/Cyano, Red/Encrusting Algae, Green Algae, Brown/Diatom Algae,

 

ID Help, Macro or Bubble? 12/14/11
Hello to the good folk of WWM!
<Hello Rey>
Can you help identify what type of Macro Algae or Bubble Algae I have growing here? Its growing on several different rocks.
They are very small, maybe the size of a small chocolate chip and shaped like a leaf. Very soft to the touch. Anything to worry about or will it run its course?
<Some Rhodophytes have also been dubbed by some as Red Valonia, but your macro algae appears to be a Rhodophyte,
Botryocladia skottsbergii. I'm not sure if they spread like Valonia so I will ask Bob for his input in this regard.> <<Not nearly as robust, invasive as Valonia. RMF>>
Thanks!
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Rey


Dear Bob,

Hope you can help. I have a 600l mixed reef that is running smoothly apart from what I can only describe as reef snot! I repeatedly get a covering of this mucus type stuff on several rocks. I have attached a photo, however it is a light brown in colour and occasionally forms bubbles. It is loosely attached and easily syphons out but generally regrows quite quickly within a couple of days; occasionally it may take a week to regrow, but always seems to come back. If left, it will grow into large globules and strings that sometimes detach in the flow. The problem started a couple of months back.

Do you have any idea what it is and how i can get rid of it? I suspect it could be some kind of bacterial algae?

Some info about my reef if it helps: It has been running approx 2 years and is a standard Berlin type system with mature rock. I utilise a good quality protein skimmer which is slightly oversized and iron based phosphate remover in a Deltec fluidiser. Flow is moderate to strong using Tunze streams. Magnesium, calcium and KH are kept in check with balling lite using Fauna Marin salts apart from KH for which I use standard bicarb of soda from the local cash and carry (£4 for 3kg!)

Water parameters are good and stable with nitrate and phosphate being unreadable on Salifert test kit and a Hanna tester. I've attached a general photo of the tank for reference.

Many thanks and best regards,

Description: C:\Users\rich\Desktop\General pic.jpg

Ian, by email

Description: C:\Users\rich\Desktop\Snot.jpg


Ian, I have seen, even personally experienced this sort of light brown coloured slime issue'¦ and taken a look at bits of it through my handy dandy Mattel-Intel QX3 microscope. As far as I can tell, most of the life here is/was Dinoflagellates'¦ single celled algae with whip-like and a girdling flagella (for locomotion)'¦ along with a mix of other algal groups members, Protists'¦ There are a few standard approaches to limiting such growth. These include nutrient limitation (through good skimming which you have, use of some chemical filtrants, water changes, gravel vacuuming, the use of in-place and remoted DSBs/Deep Sand Beds'¦) and nutrient introduction prevention (rinsing frozen/defrosted foods, using foodstuffs that are discrete and completely digestible and palatable so that they're consumed'¦). Importantly, attention to raised and sustained RedOx (covered in an article in this issue of UM, do read this) perhaps through the introduction of Ozone, or other means e.g., increased pH, above 8.5 during the day, low of 8.3 during the night. All these are activities that favour other organisms that will out-compete noisome algae for nutrients.

You mention the possibility that this mass is bacterial algae, likely referring to Cyanobacteria or Blue-green algae. Both Dinoflagellates and BGA are indeed slimy, and the latter does occur in several colours, though rarely brown. Determination of group can be readily determined by microscopic examination; the BGA being Monerans and like bacteria lacking nuclei and having but one circular strand of DNA.

You also note the age of the system and that it is well-established. I encourage you to either add, or renew some part of your live rock here'¦ this will add to RedOx, and replenish your likely depauperate mix of life on and in the rock and substrate. The ecological improvement will also grant you relief from the brown slime problem.

The lack of detectable nitrate and phosphate are telling'¦ these nutrients may be being taken up by the undesirable biota here, or may be dangerously limited, otherwise unavailable to your purposeful livestock here. To put this bluntly, I would be pro-active in reducing, ridding your system of the brown slime.

Green Hair Algae 11/26/11
<We require that people send files of no larger size than a few hundred Kbytes. See WWM re Chlorodesmis. Bob Fenner>
For a almost 6 months we've been losing a battle to green hair algae. Our 250 reef tank had been doing well until the back of the glass was covered with hair algae. Not thinking/realizing it was time to add more to our CUC, we scraped the back glass ourselves and the hair algae attached to the rocks. We tried manually cleaning the rocks but the few threads we missed clung to new rocks and continued to grow. When I have browsed your website, the closest algae to ours appears to be turtle weed. I'm attaching
pictures to see if you could please help us identify our hair algae. Our magnesium was low (1120) and our nitrates were at 10. We are raising the magnesium and continuing to run carbon and phosphate removers. We have added additional types of macro algae to our refugium, changed our lights, reduced the light period of our MH to only 6 hours but still have the VHOs on 4 hours prior to the MH and 4 hours after the MH. We have also reduced feedings and recently added snails (Astrea turbo snails). We had been
trying to use Mexican Turbos but hadn't had much luck with them. No one wants to eat it and we can't seem to kill it. Any type of ID help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your help and guidance.

Re: Green Hair Algae 11/26/11
Here are the smaller images, I will check out Chlorodesmis. Thanks
<Ahh; I/we thank you. The 50 Megs of space our email has was past 76% full>
For almost 6 months we've been losing a battle to green hair algae. Our 250 reef tank had been doing well until the back of the glass was covered with hair algae. Not thinking/realizing it was time to add more to our CUC, we scraped the back glass ourselves and the hair algae attached to the rocks. We tried manually cleaning the rocks but the few threads we missed clung to new rocks and continued to grow. When I have browsed your website, the closest algae to ours appears to be turtle weed.
<Ah yes>
I'm attaching pictures to see if you could please help us identify our hair algae. Our magnesium was low (1120) and our nitrates were at 10. We are raising the magnesium and continuing to run carbon and phosphate removers.
<Hopefully these won't starve other live, your livestock here>
We have added additional types of macro algae to our refugium, changed our lights, reduced the light period of our MH to only 6 hours but still have the VHOs on 4 hours prior to the MH and 4 hours after the MH. We have also reduced feedings and recently added snails (Astrea turbo snails). We had been trying to use Mexican Turbos but hadn't had much luck with them. No one wants to eat it and we can't seem to kill it. Any type of ID help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your help and guidance.
<Welcome... do consider a (remoted) DSB as well. BobF>
Re: Green Hair Algae 11/27/11

Thank you so much for your response. I'm really perplexed to how we have turtle weed growing in our tank. Besides installing a remote DSB are there any other suggestions you might add?
<Mmm, the usual trials for potential predators, other means of nutrient deprivation... Read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/maintenance/maintindex.htm
scroll down to the Algae Control tray... BobF>
None of our fish will eat it but it seems like some of the Astrea snails are working on it. I have ordered some Mexico Turbos to see if they will help too. Any other suggestions? Thank you again.

Algae id, 10/29/11
Good evening,
<Hi>
Can you help me with an id on this algae? What kind does this look like?
Thanks
Rob
<Looks like Cyano with maybe some diatoms mixed in. See here for more http://www.wetwebmedia.com/bluegralgae.htm .>
<Chris>

Algae Identification -- 10/12/11
Hello Crew,
First off, thanks for all the years of being here for us!
<Welcome>
I noticed this form of algae popping up all over my live rock over the last week. The only algae it resembles at all to me is, Acetabularia acetabulum (mermaid's wine glass).
Can you please help me identify it and let me know if it could take over my tank. The algae is white with a green stem hard to the touch, looks like a daisy, and does not retract when touched; but the flower (as I'm calling it) portion of it falls off if I try to move it back and forth.
My reef tank is 30 gallons with a 20 gallon sump. I am running a CPR Aquafuge Small and a protein skimmer.
Here are a couple of pictures of the algae:
Thanks Again,
Nick
<Mmm, I think this is an Octocoral of some sort... A Clavulariid... Do see the Net re... Bob Fenner>

Reef Tank Fuzzies 9/12/11
Hello Guys,
<Babak>
I have been having quite a time trying to figure out what's growing on one of my coral skeletons, it resembles green hair algae yet has no color or is perhaps white or grey and seems to branch in some places.
<Mmm, digitate... likely is an algae of some sort... Really need to look at under a lowish power microscope to tell for sure>
Does anyone have any idea what this is? I was told that it may be some type of sponge but I don't feel
that's right.
<Not likely a sponge if very flexible... Algae come in all colours... yours is likely a blue-green/Cyanophyte... See WWM re, including limiting nutrient, other means of control. Bob Fenner>
Thanks,
Bob

Re Pest Anemone/Aiptasia ID, now algal mat ID 7/31/11 - 8/1/11
Thanks for the confirmation, James.
<You're welcome.>
I got a Magnesium test today. First test came out at 1450. It appears that is close to normal...I'm still reading up on Magnesium in general.
<I would not let this get any higher and lean toward a range of 1250-1350ppm.>
<There will be a magnesium article in our latest issue of WWM Digital Magazine which should be released very shortly.>
I'll test tomorrow just to ensure there was no operator error. Also, I attached a few more pics of the algae 'mat' I have on my live rock. No problem if you can't ID it.
<I see no pic attached but no need to resend, just concentrate on lowering your nitrate level.
May want to read here. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/nitratesmar.htm >
I think I'm going to work with a lemon juice or vinegar solution before buying any chemical additive for the Aiptasia. Thanks, again for your time.
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Re Pest Anemone/Aiptasia ID 7/31/11 - 8/1/11
Oops, sorry Adam, I do see the pics. Mistakenly looking for them on the reply page which will not show attachments. Cannot identify exactly, but a common mat type algae that generally develops within newer systems and should disappear as you lower your nutrient/nitrate levels. You may also want to hire a few more hands for your clean up crew.
James (Salty Dog)>

What kind of Algae is this? 7/28/11
I thought it was Bryopsis, but now I'm not sure. It's really starting to take a real hold all over the tank, and is tough to pull out. I had a turbo that would eat it, but it died.
<Mmm, a clue perhaps>
Now all the new Turbos/snails won't touch it..
<And this>
I'm currently dosing Kent tech-m, and at 1700 ppm Mg, but there seems to be no effect on it so far.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KzuNFf7_COQ/TjC_XIw4b2I/AAAAAAAABKE/yEK0O8pu3SE/s800/IMG_2175.jpg
<Doesn't open>
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-B9Bv_aP2xco/TjC_XQlnDcI/AAAAAAAABKI/tpXHcjp72BI/s800/IMG_2176.jpg
<Fragments... does appear to be a Thallophyte (vs. a Moneran/Blue Green... might be BGA mixed in/on), but... perhaps Derbesia... There are a few approaches to control. Read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/maintenance/maintindex.htm
scroll down... Bob Fenner>
Thanks!
Eric

Is this bubble algae?/what kind of coral is this? 7/15/11
Hello everyone at WWM,
<Tim>
I got this Zoanthid about 7 weeks ago at my LFS for $5.00. I had it on a rack and just moved it on to a rock. Is this bubble algae to the right of it?
<Mmm, yes>
I have never had that type of algae. I have not glued the piece yet so I can take it out and remove if that is what it is, don't want it spreading.
<Mmm, see WWM re Valoniaceans>
I also heard that it is easier to remove if the bubbles are bigger. In the second picture I won this at a frag swap and forgot to ask what it was.
Is it Favia?
<I do think it is of this genus, yes>
Thanks for your help it is much appreciated.
Tim
<Welcome! Bob Fenner>

Clearish Dinoflagellates? 6/7/11
Good Morning Crew,
I have what appear to be clear to white dino's all over my rockwork.
<Mmm, maybe>
Tank is a 58 gallon w/ a Tunze 6045 and 6025 for circulation, BM100 v2 skimmer. It's long and gets bubbles on it, has a slimy texture,
<Here's a clue...>
and has spread everywhere. Tank is a mixed reef. The best way to describe it is it has the appearance and texture of snot, with some bubbles. I feed mainly NLS pellets, which rarely do any go uneaten. It's been around for a couple months, and doesn't show any sign of going away. Scrubbing rocks hasn't helped. Any ideas what this is? I'll attach a picture.
Thanks,
Seth
<Likely this is a mix of species/organisms... the slimy component Cyanobacterial... Need microscopic examination, perhaps some simple to not staining to define... But the usual approaches: nutrient limitation,
removal, competition and predation... See WWM re algal control, are your guide to reducing, eliminating this mess. Bob Fenner>

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