Red filamentous algae

Pacman100 · #1 09/04/2006, 11:25 PM

I have this algae growing in my tank in spots, and it is relatively slow growing but starting to spread more and more. It is extremely strong; it can be cut with scissors but cannot just be removed from the rock. Nothing seems to eat it.

I've tried manual removal but it grows right back. I've got a sump with cheato growing but the red stuff still keeps going.

Anyway, an ID and approach to controlling it would be much appreciated.

kmk2307 · #2 09/05/2006, 01:40 AM

Try looking up Gelidopsis. I assume your urchin isn't eating it? Is that Diadema? What kind of snails do you have? How much light is on your chaeto? More couldn't hurt but still probably wouldn't starve out this red completely.

HTH,
Kevin

Pacman100 · #3 09/05/2006, 04:01 AM

The urchin is a rock boring urchin, probably Echinometra viridis but I've never really made a good ID on it. If it eats the red stuff, it is probably only by accident. I've never seen any cleared out spots from it grazing.

Gelidiopsis seems to be at the top of the list, although the pictures I saw seem to show branching quite a bit. This stuff seems to grow fairly straight, like individual hairs and spreads on the rocks.

Anyway, if it is Gelidiopsis do you know of any creatures that would love to make a meal of it?

graveyardworm · #4 09/05/2006, 07:13 PM

I have had good luck with Turbo snails against this algae, apparently the Pacific turbos eat it, while the Caribean ones not so much. So if you get one make sure its from the Pacific.