Logo
Please visit our Sponsors
FAQs about Red Algae/Rhodophyte Identification 8

Related Articles: Red Algae in General, Coralline Marine Algae, Avoiding Algae Problems in Marine System,
Algae Control, Marine Maintenance, 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, Algae as Food,

Related FAQs: Red Algae ID 1, Red Algae ID 2, Red Algae ID 3, Red Algae ID 4, Red Algae ID5, Red Algae ID 6, Red Algae ID 7,   Red Algae ID 9, Red Algae ID 10, Red Algae ID 11, Red Algae ID 12, & Red Algae 1, Red Algae 2, Red Algae 3, Red Algae in General, Red Algae 2, Red Algae 3, Red Algae Behavior, Red Algae Compatibility, Red Algae Selection, Red Algae Systems, Red Algae Nutrition, Red Algae Disease, Red Algae Reproduction/Propagation, Coralline Algae, Marine Macro-Algae, Use in Aquariums, Algae as Food, Marine Algae ID 1, Marine Algae ID 2, Marine Algae Control FAQs II, Marine Algaecide Use, Nutrient Limitation, Marine Algae Eaters, Culturing Macro-Algae; Controlling: BGA/Cyano, Red/Encrusting Algae, Green Algae, Brown/Diatom Algae,

New Print and eBook on Amazon

Marine Aquarium Algae Control

by Robert (Bob) Fenner

Re: Red tipped macro algae ID   6/4/19
Hi Crew!
< Hi Dani! >
I know this thread is old but the unidentified Rhodophyte ended up actually being Fauchea! ☺️
<Great ! looks that it is thriving.>
Dani
<Thanks for the update! Cheers. Wil.>


Unknown Red Macro 5/23/11
Hello Crew,
<Howdy Kris>
I recently received a small clump of a unknown red macro from a fellow reefer.
<Very nice>
He sent this to me because I have a pretty extensive macro algae collection to compare it against. We were thinking possibly Gracilaria hayi
<Mmm, maybe G. mammillaris>
however this is nothing like it. This macro is much more maroon in color and is way more compact then hayi. Another person had mentioned possibly red titan but this is nothing like my titan either. Not sure what it is.
From my understanding it grows relatively slow. It is super compact and super hardy. This was in transit to me for 10 days from Canada to Colorado and there was 0 die off.
<Most Rhodophytes ship very well... Reds do live on very little light at times...>
Never seen that before, unless overnight shipping. Wish all macros shipped that well! Kind of reminds me of Dictyota
to be honest. Any help appreciated, pictures attached (taken out of the water) Thanks!
<I think this is likely a Fauchea species. Do see the Net re this genus.
Bob Fenner>

Re: Unknown Red Macro 5/23/11
Thank you for your time Bob. I am actually getting Fauchea in on a order tomorrow. I will compare the 2 and see what I find out. Thanks again you guys are wonderful!
<There are many beautiful members (and diverse!) in the Rhodymeniales. I may see/photograph some ones new to me on the morrow. Am down in Guanacaste, Costa Rica diving. BobF>

Red Macro 5/24/11
Hey everyone. Bob, I hope Costa Rica is treating you right!
<Ah yes, thanks>
I saw the post on the red macro algae, and immediately thought of this stuff
I have in my tank. It first showed up a few months ago, as very small "petals", but it's been growing very very slowly. Could it be the same stuff?
<Could be; or something closely related... perhaps of the same genus>
I "adopted" 70 of my 110 pounds of live rock, so I don't know a lot about it. The biggest "petal" is a tad smaller than a quarter, and the "leaves" are a bit leathery to the touch (a bit thinner and also bigger in diameter than Halimeda). Searches for it haven't turned up much, but I'm still a noob.
Whatever it is, as long as it's peaceful, I like it where it is.
Thanks,
Chris
<Thanks for sending this along. Bob Fenner>

Coral ID Help 5/17/11
Hello,
I'm trying to get an ID on this coral. This coral started growing out of my rock recently. I really like the orange and almost blue tint the coral.
It looks like a mushroom, but seems to have a harder skeleton than most mushrooms.
Thanks,
Chris
<Mmm, well the reddish material near the bottom appears to be a Rhodophyte (a Red Algae), the top area... a Corallimorph of some sort, and these don't have skeletons. If you could send along a better image... Bob Fenner>

Red Macro Algae ID 1/24/11
Hello,
<Hi there>
What is this algae?
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k539/gerbilbox/IMGP1697.jpg
<As you state... a Rhodophyte...>
A store owner gave it to me for free when I bought some snails over a month ago. It's grown a little since, and it has hardy tissue that seems to adhere to rocks. Some of the "leave" tips have white dots on them. If this photo is not sufficient I can take more. Thanks!
Alex
<Is a beauty. Please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/redalgae.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>

New red mushroom or algae 12/6/10
Hello.
You guys have been great in the past helping me identify new and interesting life in my tank. Can u take a look at the attached pic and give any insight?
Thanks
Mike
<Is a Rhodophyte, red algae of some sort. See WWM: http://wetwebmedia.com/redalgidfaqs.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>

Re: New red mushroom or algae 12/6/10
Is it invasive?
<Mmm, not "very">
Should I do something to head it off & or so what recommendations?
<I'd harvest a bit every maintenance period... when/while you're already in the tank... Reds are by and large slow-growers, not really competitors w/ other chemoautotrophs>
Again, thanks for you help and quick response.
Mike
<Certainly welcome. BobF>

red macroalgae? -- 10/11/10
Dear WMM Crew,
As always, thank you so much for your service to the aquarium community.
You do an awesome job!
I have been searching for months, trying to identify this seemingly red macroalgae, which is now a regular occurrence in my little reef (please see attached pic). I have looked all over the place for an ID, to no avail.
It grows in tight clumps, such as the one in the picture, and although it does not seem to be too invasive, I have to remove it from time to time.
It feels very slimy to the touch, and indeed, when I split it, it seems to release mucus-like material. Of note is also the fact that the top of the globular structures that compose this being have an iridescent appearance, and this iridescence intensifies under strong light. I have one such clumps under MH lights and that clump has turned totally golden on top. Finally, a sort of tiny white brittle stars love to live in the clumps.
I hope you can help me with the ID.
grateful for your help,
Vivian
<Mmm, likely Botryocladia sp. Please see/read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/redalgidf4.htm
Bob Fenner>

Red Macro Algae ID 8/24/10
Hi
<Hello>
I have a query about the ID of a red macro algae.
The algae is slimy, quite flattened and translucent to transparent. And it is attached to a rock.
The LFS didn't knew what it was & as I don't have any corals or herbivores I just took it home.
Its in a 20G FOWLR under 2x30W of PC daylights(the bulbs are 5 days old). And placed high up on the rocks as I don't know anything about it.
Any advice on keeping it thriving ll be greatly appreciated.
<Oh bejesus, there are so many different types of macroalgae that it can be difficult to accurately ID. My best guess is that what you have is a genus of Rhodophyta, and likely a specie of Gracilaria. Your input Bob/Crew?
James (Salty Dog)>
<<Def. a Rhodophyte... See here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/redalgae.htm
and the linked files above. B>>

What is this algae and will a Flame Angelfish eat it? 05/25/2010
Hi Crew,
I attach a photo of some red macro-algae that has been growing slowly in one of my tanks. Presumably, this algae came in with the Florida live rock I bought several years ago, even though I did not become aware of it until
about 18 months ago, when the rock got moved into a relatively dark corner of a relatively low light FOWLR tank. This algae is really pretty, and I am fond of it.
<Kind of just looks like some kind of blue/green algae to me... but maybe could be Fauchea sp. red algae? <<Is a Rhodophyte. RMF>> Unfortunately, I don't know that there are too many, if any, full-color photo illustrative guides to aquarium algae identification -- perhaps it's the narrow audience or minute consumer market for such a thing? It's too bad really... I mean, after all, who isn't, at some point in his/her life, haunted by a mysterious, unidentified, nearly amorphic autotrophic growth in their marine aquarium?>
So question 1 is can you identify this algae for me?
<Not really, no... but since it lacks an obvious underlying "structure" I'd wager that it's a blue-green algae of some sort.>
Question 2 is do you think that a Flame Angelfish will devour this algae if I introduce one to this tank?
<Hard to say... after all, if you put a plate of anchovies in front of a class of 6 year olds, chances are that at least one of them will venture a bite on a dare. But you're putting what we might assume (albeit perhaps for no good reason since the algae could have theoretically come from anywhere) Atlantic algae in front of one individual Indo-Pacific fish... so I guess you'll just have to wait and see!>
Thanks,
Tom
<De nada,
Sara M.>

Unknown species.. Rhodophyte.. gorgeous 4/14/10
Hey guys,
<Hey Jason>
I have attached two pictures showing a hitchhiker macro algae (assuming but not sure).
<I think you are right!>
It is purple in color and I cannot find any information on what type it is.
<This is a Rhodophyte, but the species I am not sure.. there are thousands.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/redalgae.htm>
It came attached to Bali live rock from my LFS.
<It is a very beautiful algae>
Any help you can offer is always appreciated.
<Have a trawl through the many different I.D sites for these on the web and you might stumble on something>
Thanks,
<No problem>
Jason
<Simon>

Identification of this Algae... 3/9/10
Hey Guys,
<Ok>
I have a quick question about this algae growth that seemed to just up and appear one day. It started off as a small unnoticeable growth and now as you can see has turned in to a bush! I really like it, I really just want to know what it is. I am hoping you can help me with that?
<Sure>
A few specs about my tank. I know it sounds bad, but I have no idea the param.s of my tank for the most part. I do water changes on my tank every weekend so, everything seems to remain healthy. I do know the PH is right at 8.2 (Salifert test kit) and I know the salinity is right between 1.024-1.025 (calibrated refractometer). As far as the ALK, CA, Nitrate, Nitrite levels, I am not really sure. The tank is a custom made 75g tank with a built in filter in the back, skimmer, halide lights... It has been established for over 3 years and all is healthy minus the usual reef die off.
Michael Seybert
<Is a nice Rhodophyte of some sort. See here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/redalgae.htm
and the linked files above, particularly Red Algae ID FAQs. Enjoy this life, Bob Fenner>

crop

Re Identification of this Algae... 3/9/10
Bob, thanks for all your help! I have been scouring the web looking for this species, it almost has orange around the edges and then the middle of the leafs are pink! Anywho, thanks again for all your help!
<Is a beauty Mike. If you could culture it in quantity, this would be worth selling to stores, over the Net. BobF>
Re: Identification of this Algae... 3/9/10
Thanks, I will try and cut a piece off and then grow it on a frag plug?
See what happens!
<Sounds good. B>

Sponge? (Mmm, Rhodophyta maybe) -- 03/01/10
Crew-
<<Howdy Dan>>
Can't find a picture like this on your site so far, so I attached a photo from my tank.
<<I see this>>
I have 10-12 of these little red dudes attached to live rock, all within 3-4" of the substrate, and none bigger than ¼" in diameter. They look like a semicircular portion of a red mushroom and only started showing up about two months ago. My tank is about 13 months old, and has numerous corals and other inverts. Could they be some sort of sponge?
<<A possibility, or maybe even a tunicate 'but studying the photo, I'm inclined to think this is a Rhodophyta (red algae)'¦with some 6,000 or more species to choose from>>
Thanks,
Dan
<<Happy to share'¦ EricR>>

a new algae? 2/11/10
Hello Bob,
<Miss T>
Do you recognize this algae? Also from Sulawesi....
I have two photo's more but this one is the most nice one.
Hope to hear from you
Tineke
<Don't know, but is a gorgeous Rhodophyte of some sort. BobF>

New Print and eBook on Amazon

Marine Aquarium Algae Control

by Robert (Bob) Fenner

Become a Sponsor Features:
Daily FAQs FW Daily FAQs SW Pix of the Day FW Pix of the Day New On WWM
Helpful Links Hobbyist Forum Calendars Admin Index Cover Images
Featured Sponsors: