What is it and what will eat it?
 

I posted this in the newbie forum and was told I might get more help in here. I dont knw what this is, but it quickly taking over my friends 65g FOWLR. We have to pull as much as we can out each week. Is there a fish or invert that will eat it? Thanks for your help!
[IMG]http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j241/darla4583/102_0881.jpg[/IMG]

Fish,
It's Caulerpa prolifera. And the only sure way to eradicate it is manual removal.

Caulerpa sp. apparently release chemicals that allow their roots (holdfasts) to dissolve calcium...so it can grow in both sand and rock.

IME the only way to get rid of it completely is by manual removal...you just need to be persistent, and over the course of a couple of weeks, it will be gone.

HTH,
-R

I'd actually go with C. brachypus, but you are correct in that it is tough to get out if it gets heavily established.

Maybe it is brachypus! If I understand correctly, brachypus' fronds only get about 1" in length, whereas prolifera is much larger.

-R

Its caulerpa. I dont think he cares what the exact name of it is, he is more like what the heck eats this crap! Manual removal is hit or miss. I have a bad infestation in my 40 breeder. I got a naso tang for a temporary stay and he munched it all but it hides in the recesses of the rock and comes back. What about inverts? Does anyone know of a invert that will surely eat it that is not too sensitive?

be sure to be careful about disposal upon removal.

the west coast is having issues with invasive caulerpa which was inadvertently released into the bays.

cheers!

here is what I'm trying to get rid of: Caulerpa Prolifera.
Can't upload a picture to this not-too-impressive forum !!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was at a fish store a couple of weeks ago that unfortunately had some of this introduced into a display last year. She cleans it out and it just completely takes over, its really sad! She said even other caulerpa can't compete with it and what was already in there was taken over by it despite her efforts. I think she got pretty discouraged because there was nothing else in the tank but the fish and you couldn't even see the live rock anymore. Fortunately the fish didn't seem to mind but the days as a nice display for that tank are over.