what is it? what eats it? how do I get rid of it?

[skinz78]

I have a type of macro in my tank that grows rapidly and suffocates my coral. My sailfin tang won't touch it. Any suggestions on what it is and what eats it.

[skinz78]

I have come up with some type of y branch type algae? what do you think? I see that naso tangs and mithrax crabs eat it? is this true?

[lancer99]

Looks like Dictyota. Very hard to remove by hand (I have it too!). There are some suggestions for control here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/brnalgcomp.htm

If you find a way to get rid of it, please post!

-R

[graveyardworm]

Hvae you researched/tried any type of Tang or Rabbitfish? I had a small amount hitchhike on rock with a coral and successfully removed it by hand.

If you break off a piece it will start a new one, and if it everywhere will be really hard to get rid of by hand. You could try scrubbing your rocks in a seperate container then a good rinse in another seperate container with tank water.

[skinz78]

I purchased a naso tang and a mythrax crab today. I am hoping they do the trick, the algae is embedded in my zooanthids and in the ruffles of my squamosa clam's shell so I can't scrub them out.

[graveyardworm]

Is the sqaumosa attached? If not it can be safely moved and scrubbed in a seperate tank with tank water then a good rinse in another container.

[skinz78]

the squamosa is attached, but I am happy to report the naso tang seems to love this stuff so I think the problem may be sloved.