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FAQs about Brown/Phaeophyte Algae/Kelp: Genus Sargassum

FAQs By Genus: Dictyota, Lobophora,

Related Articles: Brown AlgaeAvoiding 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: Brown Algae 1, Brown Algae 2, Brown Algae Identification, Brown Algae Behavior, Brown Algae Selection, Brown Algae Systems, Brown Algae Nutrition, Brown Algae Disease, Brown Algae Reproduction/Propagation, Marine Algicide Use, Nutrient Limitation, Marine Algae Eaters, Culturing Macro-Algae; Controlling: BGA/Cyano, Red/Encrusting Algae, Green Algae, Brown/Diatom Algae, 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

Naso Lituratus alternative for algae control   12/27/06 Hi, <Hello there> I have some kind of kelp like macro algae growing all over my live rock in my reef tank. I was considering using Naso Tang (Naso lituratus) for controlling it since it is competing with my corals, but since my tank is only 75 gal, and I know that Naso will outgrow it sooner or latter (plus possibly damage corals) I am hoping you can suggest an alternative fish (preferably or any other solution). Tank mates are 2 Percula Clowns, Yellow tang (eats every other kind of algae except that one) and cleaning crew : several Cleaner and Peppermint shrimps, snails, hermits and brittle stars, plus assortment of soft and hard corals. Tank setup is 75 gal main display, 20 gal sump and 10 gal refugium (swarming with variety creatures and Caulerpa). <... well...> Here is the picture of the algae, and I was hoping you can identify it. <The image didn't come through... see WWM re.... needs to be a jpg, bmp of small size, attached...> It came on a live rock (which I believe came from Fiji - according to Marine Depot). While I am able to remove it from most of the rock, and I do like to use macro algae for Nitrogen/Oxygen control, it is now getting to less accessible places among the corals where I can't reach it or I can damage the corals. Thanks, Mladen Covic <The choice of biological control is determined on the basis of the type, especially Division of algae involved... If this is a BGA there are not many predators to consider... Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/algeatrcontfaqs.htm and the linked files above... I would consider a Salarias, Atrosalarias species here myself as a first try. And a look/see under a microscope at what phyletic level this pest is for sure. Bob Fenner>
Re: Naso Lituratus alternative for algae control  12/30/06 Thank you for your reply and I am sorry for any kind of misunderstanding and for image not coming through (though it was jpg, "only" 57K and attached). <We have (ongoing) issues with our webmail service... I would not be surprised if the difficulty were on "our end" here> I hope I can have another shot at your answer while providing more details and trying the attached picture again: <Sure, and did come through... a brown algae right?> First, it is a brown macro algae, of the kelp type. Leaves are brownish green, 1-2" long, 1/4-1/2" wide, with dark brown spots on the surface, ragged edges under magnification. Leaves are spreading from well formed brown-green stem, 1/8 in diameter, covered with dark brown, 1/32" long, protrusions. After several weeks of growth (reaching 4-5"), this plant starts developing spherical "fruits" (up to 1/4" in diameter, lighter brown-green) along the stem, close to the top. Now, on your page http://www.wetwebmedia.com/brnalgcomp.htm, you have a picture of some algae ( http://www.wetwebmedia.com/Algae%20and%20Plt%20Pix/Brown%20Algae/Sargassum. jpg) that you have identified as Sargassum hystrix. <I think you are correct> It looks quite like my algae, though that picture shows little detail. In that articles on that page, it is mentioned that it should die off after 6 months. <Usually does w/in this time frame> If my algae is Sargassum hystrix, I find that extremely hard to believe since this plant has some kind of risom or root that has survived scrubbing when the live rock was collected and shipped, 3 weeks of my curing of the live rock, and my very meticulous scrubbing of the rock after the curing. <Mmm, can originate (and proliferate!) from a single surviving spore... doesn't need rhizomous material...> And the algae is blissfully growing, despite my pruning, for almost 6 months now. And every time I prune it (sharp "pointy" bone cutter) I try to cut to the rock (which I usually do) and the algae sprouts again from the same spot, probably from the tiniest  piece of that root that was left buried deep in the rock. <Heeeee! Sorry for my amusement> As for the Blennies, that you have suggested, can they really eat this type of macro-algae. <Mmm... some species... but not likely much of the ones offered stock in the trade, no> From your site, I would think they would go for "finer" filamentous and green algae. Is there any specific Blenny that goes after the "big" algae? <Well... not likely to find any such for sale... You could search for the distribution of this Sargassum, and use Fishbase.org... sorting by the area/geography... to find potential predators... but...> I hope I am not taking too much of your time by asking you to help me again. <Oh no... this is an enjoyable, intellectual (even fun!) exercise for me... Why I choose to engage others...> Your site has been extremely helpful to me and the amount of the accumulated knowledge on it is extraordinary. One thing however, if you don't mind me giving you a suggestion, can make these pages even more helpful. I have noticed that many people, when contacting you with their problems, are sending you the pictures that are illustrating their problems or accomplishments,  and when you publish their questions and your answers, those pictures are often omitted. <Ahh! We/I do post all that are sent, that we "get"... often they get lost in the shuffle (the Crew doesn't move the original post to where they'll be noticed (are lost in the responding process), or there is some "issue" with/twixt our web-mail server (as with your original effort)... What improvement I'd really like to make is to re-visit and make available the 22k or so images on the site that are mine, in larger sizes... ala sites like Fishbase... but we must need generate more revenue to hire someone to do the likely re-scanning, spiffing up, sizing, making pages, linking... for these... And going forward, to do the same with folks image-work sent in... with much more information//fields possible... like the site where the image was made, size of the individuals shown... A friend is working on the likes of "banner ad" JavaScript... so, perhaps in 07...> Providing those pictures, either inside the article, or as follow to link, would be extremely beneficiary since it would help us cut on repetitive problems by recognizing our stuff on someone else's picture and/or provide the basis from which we can formulate more specific questions or comments. <Totally agreed> Of course if there is an issue with the storage space or the time and the effort required for the maintenance of those pages and files, I will understand. <Used to be that the cost of storage and bandwidth was an issue... the costs for these has greatly diminished in recent years... it's the time/labor of going back at this point, along with the "mystery" issues of email, graphics not getting to/through us that is limiting currently. Thank you, Bob Fenner> Thank you again, Mladen Covic <Oh! And I do encourage you to consider a Naso species for eradicating this Phaeophyte... it will likely do so... and in very short order!>

Got Weed? Awesome site!! Very comprehensive and informative. I wanted to forward you a picture of some rock in my tank and a pretty bad infestation of Sargassum hystrix. Check it out and let me know what you think and what I should do about it. I have been pruning but it grows as fast as I prune. Thanks! <Prune faster! This is really what I would do... You could "cut down" by using iodine/iodide less, and less frequently... but might well restrict other desirable metabolic activity. Just remove more of it on a regular basis... A gorgeous stand/batch, and nice photo as well! Bob Fenner> Adam

Question For Ya (re Sargassum, brown algae growth) Would this be considered undesirable? The funny thing is it has totally overgrown the one rock and is limited to this rock with the exception of a few stray pieces. I know this is supposed to die off in 6 months, should I just wait it out and enjoy the diversity?  <I would> Take the rock out and scrub it? Or just prune as it grows? I know you will say personal preference, but wanted to make sure. I am tending to lean towards pruning. Thanks! Adam <I would prune and enjoy. Bob Fenner>

- Kiss my Sargassum!!! ...or at least remove it - I am about 60 days into setting up a 55 gal reef tank.  About half of my 85lbs. of live rock is completely covered with Sargassum algae.  I am not particularly fond of its looks, and was wondering if I should try to remove it in order to grown corals later on. <In the mean time you can use it as a great nutrient export method by periodically removing large amounts of it. If you think it's ugly, then by all means, get it out!> If I remove it and encourage the coralline algae to grow and cover the rock surface, will it eventually prevent the Sargassum from returning?   Thank you,  Randy <Once it's all removed and hasn't grown back, I wouldn't expect it to return at a later date unless you reintroduce it. Good luck! -Kevin>

New Print and eBook on Amazon

Marine Aquarium Algae Control

by Robert (Bob) Fenner

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