Algae ID

underpar · #1 10/28/2007, 11:39 PM

Hi,

I tried this post ing the Plant and Macroalgae forum, but got no responses. Perhaps I will have better luck here...........

I have a substantial growth of a red algae in my refugium. It is a very fine species, in clumps of about 1 inch in diameter. It grows on the rock, substrate and in the ball of chaeto also.

I have searched through the various photo ID sources (Samala's above sticky; Marc Levee's ID page; and others) and can find nothing that looks like what I have.

I would like to know if I should be concerned about it and, if so, how it is eliminated?

Thanks, Fred

loosecannon · #2 10/28/2007, 11:52 PM

photo may help.

bertoni · #3 10/29/2007, 12:07 AM

A search on Asparagopsis might turn up some photos for comparison.

underpar · #4 10/29/2007, 12:09 AM

Thanks,

I know a photo would be helpful, but I do not have a digital camera.

I'll try the search.

Fred

jokeloma · #5 10/29/2007, 01:15 AM

Sounds like the same algae I fight to this day is kinda like cotton candy? if so I have found that the mexican turbos eat it pretty well.

underpar · #6 10/29/2007, 08:57 AM

Thanks John.

It seems that Mexican Torbos and Pacific Turbos are synonymous. The formal name is "Turbo fluctuosus".

I have some Hawaiian Turbos (T. sandwicensis) but they do not seem to be too interested in helping with the problem.

Fred

underpar · #7 10/29/2007, 09:07 AM

Hey bertoni,

Somehow my reply to your suggestion was lost.

You were right on with the Asparagopsis suggestion. Specifically, it is A. taxiformis.

http://www.aquatouch.com/algae.htm gives a nice photo and suggestion for its treatment. Pacific Turbos are supposed to help.
If you are interested, I'll let you know how things work out.

Thanks, Fred

jimbo045 · #8 10/29/2007, 11:03 AM

If it is rigid, seems safe to me. JD

bertoni · #9 10/29/2007, 03:01 PM

I got rid of Asparagopsis by growing and harvesting another macroalgae or two, along with a bit of hand-pruning. Let us know how your effort goes!