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FAQs about Red Algae/Rhodophyte Identification 9

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 8, 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

Can you help me ID this macro, please?      7/7/14
Dear Bob, et al -
I acquired a macro algae from an entire set up that I purchased months ago.
<A beauty!>
It was a dark blood red wine color macro attached to a rock. At first glance I thought it was fake, but then realized it was real. I placed it in my pico. It was doing fine but I moved it into a refugium that I'd set up
for my 110; i needed macro in there. It's been in the refugium about 4 months now.
Today I was cleaning the refugium and I noticed that this macro now had a gorgeous blue hue to it. Something I'd not seen before. I started to search and found Fauchea sp. to be the two closest match. Then I found a post made to you from another hobbyist. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/RedAlgID8.htm  -
the first picture looks identical to my macro. I've attached a picture for you. Please let me know what you think.
<I do concur>
I've been searching for Fauchea sp. for many years. I always thought it was more blue.
<Mmm, this genus, member species are definitely "change-able"... to vacillate to more green, blue, purple "depending on circumstances">
I so look forward to your response. Thank you.
Very best regards,
Jan
<And you, Bob Fenner>


Red Algae identification      8/21/13
Dear WWM,
<Chris>
I am attaching a photo of the algae in question. It started as a small red "flower" shaped bud on a piece of live rock. Over the last four months it has steadily grown upwards.  I have searched the Internet up and down and have not been able to ID it. I was hoping you could help.
<Looks to be a Fauchea sp.; a beaut!>
Thanks in advance for all you do.
Chris
<Glad to share, Bob Fenner>

ID hitchhiker    /Jordan     8/1/13
Please help me ID this beautiful creation of God who found his way in on a rick I've owned for about 6 months. I am referring to the red kelp-ish looking species. Coral, Algae, beautiful. What is this?
<Looks to be Halymenia floresii,
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=371111 
Jordan>
ID hitchhiker    /RMF     8/1/13
Please help me ID this beautiful creation of God who found his way in on a rick I've owned for about 6 months. I am referring to the red kelp-ish looking species. Coral, Algae, beautiful. What is this?
<Definitely a Rhodophyte, a Red algae; likely of the genus Fauchea...
Beneficial and indicative of good conditions here.
Bob Fenner>

Macroalgae identification     5/24/13
Hi, I would like your help to indentify this macroalgae
Thank you Marie-H.
<See here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/RedAlgID7.htm
BobF>

Red bubble algae?     5/6/13
Is this red bubble algae?

<Nope. Appears to be Cyanobacteria aka blue/green algae>
 I'm having difficulty identifying it. I also have a small patch of green of the same looking algae on a different rock. Is it bad? If so, what can I do to get rid of it? Any little creatures eat it?
<Read more here-- http://www.wetwebmedia.com/cyanocontrolfaqs.htm >
Thanks for all your help!!!!
<Quite welcome.>
Sent from my iPhone
<Sent from Jordan's laptop.>

strange growths 12/27/12
Hello,
<Hi Jennifer>
I have 2 strange growths on my live rock that even my local saltwater shop was not sure about when I showed them the pictures. I have a 90 gal. bowfront  reef tank which I just recently transferred from a 60 gal.  I did not add anything new into the tank and had the 60 gal established for over 7 yrs.
Upon the transfer and new equipment, a new lamp with VHO, leds and a timer with dawn, day, dusk, and moon light cycle I recently had an algae bloom so upon my cleaning up the algae I noticed these odd things on my rock. What are they? My saltwater guys at the shop, one thought one was a mushroom which if it is, never seen anything like it and the other photo a pink sponge which he said to just scrape
it off. But I'm just curious as this growth occurred in a months time.
Ideas?
<The first picture does appear to me a Corallimorph. The second photo is a Rhodophyta, possibly Kallymenia sp.>
from the back of my tank I found this odd thing.. ?
<Not sure what this is in reference to.>
Thanks for your help!
<Anytime.>
Jennifer Cooper
<Jordan>

Re: Clarkii Clown Fish Problem, & alg. ID  11/9/12
Hi! I just wanted to update you on my fish that has pop eye. I read your information on pop-eye but couldn't do a QT tank. I went to my local specialty fish store and they recommended to use MELAFIX
<... worthless. Would you pour a tea/extract in your own eyes? I hope/trust not.>
 by API. The directions said use it for 7 days and then perform a 25% water change. We did notice his eye was going down during the use of MELAFIX but soon after the 7 days it started to bubble up again. Do you recommend to dose our tank for additional 7 days?
<No>
Another question, during this process of medicating our fish we noticed these little stringy like things starting to form in our live rock. I feel like they are spreading. What are they??
<Some sort of red branching algae, a Rhodophyte. Not problematical. Read
here: http://wetwebmedia.com/PopeyeCause.htm
and the linked files above. BobF>

Can you help me identify this?    10/11/12
Dear WWM,
<Laura>
I have this purple bubble looking stuff growing on one of my rocks, and it is getting more prolific.  Can anyone identify it?
<Looks to be some sort/species of Botryocladia...>
  Should I be  concerned?
<Mmm, not much>
I am wondering if it is in the bubble algae family....
<Sea Grapes... some folks call/label as Red Valonia... not as invasive>
Thanks in advance,
Laura Garmizo
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>

Re: Can you help me identify this?    10/11/12
Hi Bob,
<L>
Thanks for such a quick response.
<W>
Would you attempt to remove it?  I don't find it unattractive...just  don't want some major epidemic on my hands!
<I'd leave it/this... most Reds come and go of their own accord. B>
Laura
Hi Bob,
Thanks.  Will leave alone and continue to marvel at what just "shows  up" on its own in my system!
Laura

Algae clarification     3/11/12
Hi Crew,
<Hello Si.>
It's been a long time since I posted on here and asked for any information from you, although I do still regularly visit the site (so don't worry :))
I just wanted some algae ID if possible. I think I know what I'm looking at but just wanted a second opinion, and advice if I should remove it or not. I attached a couple of pictures, are they Rhodophyte and a species of Nemastoma?
<Your IDs look spot on and would leave both unless they bother you aesthetically. I suspect the Rhodophyte would prove difficult to remove entirely if you ever decided to try. Great looking Nemastoma sp. by the way! >
Thank you in advance.
Kind Regards
Si
<Jordan>

 

Macroalgae identification 1/27/12
Crew,
<Mich>
I am hoping that you can confirm an identification. This macroalgae has been growing in our reef for several years under actinics and metal halides. It's a gorgeous vibrant purple and I find it more appealing than even the corals. I think it's a Padina species (slang name onion ring algae),
<Mmm, perhaps w/ an encrusting Red overgrowing it... but I think more likely this is Peyssonnelia sp. An encrusting Red. Class Rhodophyceae, Subclass Florideophycidae, Order Gigartinales, Family Peyssonneliaceae>
but I have been unable to find a picture with a specimen with a similar color to ours.
Thanks again for the wonderful website!
Michele
<Thank you for sharing. Bob Fenner>

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

Algae ID HELP 12/10/11
Hi all,
<Hey there!>
I am hoping you can help me identify the red (?) algae in the attached pictures. I have been trying to identify this for some time with little success. Two of the pictures are actually from your own pages and are the closest that I have seen. However one has the algae as unknown, the other as Galaxaura. If it is Galaxaura what is the most effective means of control/removal?
<Mmm, same ole... predator search, competition, nutrient starvation, physical removal... See WWM re Rhodophyte/Red Algae control>
It is a fragile algae that fragments very easily with loose fragments sticking to, and colonising a new site very easily. The fronds seem to exude a 'gel' that may contain tiny pieces of the algae almost like spores that distribute easily.
<Mmm, yes... alginates... have their many purposes>
It is a nightmare that took over an entire tank and is gaining a foothold in a new tank. It grows between and on soft and hard polyps. I have many snails, hermits, an algae blenny, pencil urchin and hippo tang in the tank but never see any of them browse it. I have seen the blenny pull mouthfuls of it but that seems to aid distribution rather than control it. The tang will eat fragments it finds in the water column but I have never seen it browse.
<Again, peruse WWM, the Net, in-print literature... as you might surmise, there are organisms that eat all organisms... Perhaps a Siganid, if it will go in your system>
Nitrate and phosphate are both zero, I use biopellets, and Chaeto in a reverse lit refugium to control nutrients.
<Mmm... make that Mmmm, I'd be looking for a good predator... likely modifying your water chemistry (gone over on WWM) to severely deny HPO4 to the pest>
I really am desperate to find a solution before it gets out of control again. This is a recently set up tank but this algae growth is not part of the cycling process. Filamentous, Cyano and diatoms have all come and gone and it looks like this is here for the long haul.
<Ugh, no fun>
If it gets to the same proportions as in my previous tank I really think I ill get out of saltwater altogether, it is too sickening to see corals smothered by this as the tank turns into a red/brown mass.
Hoping you can help,
David
<I can... please send along a better (more-resolved image...) even a microscopic one if you can. Don't give up... often some aspect, self-limits such outbreaks... Bob Fenner>

Re: Algae ID HELP 12/10/11
Hi Bob,
<Big D!>
Many thanks for your prompt reply, coincidentally I am taking a day trip to my not-so-LFS
<Heeee!>
tomorrow and a Foxface Rabbitfish Siganus vulpinus is top of my list. My old tank was too small to allow me to use such fish as a control but I'm hoping they can do a job in this tank.
<Ah good>
I could also put a phosphate reactor in place to try and limit availability of HPO4.
<Ehh, just boosting pH via Kalk will do all you want/need to do here... Remove your Chaeto for the day...>
I often question myself as to the usefulness of nitrate and phosphate tests.
<Mmm, are rationale "windows" into looking at what is/may be going on in a system... BUT only w/ understanding of their implications and short-comings>
Surely a kit could give a zero reading due to the fact that the tank is a mass of problem macroalgae while the aquarist is thinking, "Well done me!, so why can't I get rid of this algae".
<Mmm, a valuable lesson here for you (and many others) re the real nature of the universe... Uhh, it's not all that "discrete"... but more like calculus vs. deterministic arithmetic... In your "real time", it may appear that there is insufficient nutrient to allow such a situation... In some sort of reality, the pest algae IS the nutrient... i.e., it's very likely scarfing/scavenging all up... One mechanism for limiting (nee teleologically intended here) competition, eh?>
Again, thanks for your time,
David
<And you for yours. BobF>

New Print and eBook on Amazon

Marine Aquarium Algae Control

by Robert (Bob) Fenner

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