Grape Caulerpa and Feather Caulerpa seem to crowd everything else out -- see pictures

Dag · 09/17/2003, 10:09 PM

Here's what I'm calling grape caulerpa (do I have the right name?):

Here's what I'm calling feather caulerpa:

Both of these were hitchhikers (the feather caulerpa was few leaves that came with the emerald cabs). They have flourished in my fuge.

They seem to prevent anything else from growing. I have had a ball of cheto that has not grown in 2 mos. I had a clump of gracilleria that withered and died. Even the caulerpa raecemosa seems to have lost the competition. Here's some strand of algae that seems to be surviving barely but I don't know what it is (it's the little strand in the corner):

Any ideas?

I could pull out fistfuls of the grape caulerpa every few weeks. I know there's lots of different views on this. Does anyone think I'm headed for a disaster?

billsreef · 09/18/2003, 07:18 AM

Thier rapid growth can indeed outcompete other macro's. So long as you regularly pull out the excess to keep things under control you should be just fine.

Dag · 09/18/2003, 09:11 AM

That's my plan.

I was hoping to have a whole variety of macros but so far it's only the survival of the fittest.

Any thoughts on that third picture that I can't ID?

horge · 09/20/2003, 01:28 AM

You've got what looks like

First pic: C. lentillifera, but I'd like a sharper pic.
Second pic doesn't have enough detail --there are a number of "feather caulerpa" species
Third pic is just too fuzzy.

What you want to do is get a closeup shot that provides detail.
Alternatively, you can describe in detail.

Size, blade shape, blade edge, cross-sectional shape, etc...

I agree with Bill:
Show the weeds who's boss, and don't take any guff from 'em.
If any of the weeds give ya trouble: smoke 'em.

09/17/2003, 10:09 PM	#1
Dag Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,292	Grape Caulerpa and Feather Caulerpa seem to crowd everything else out -- see pictures Here's what I'm calling grape caulerpa (do I have the right name?): Here's what I'm calling feather caulerpa: Both of these were hitchhikers (the feather caulerpa was few leaves that came with the emerald cabs). They have flourished in my fuge. They seem to prevent anything else from growing. I have had a ball of cheto that has not grown in 2 mos. I had a clump of gracilleria that withered and died. Even the caulerpa raecemosa seems to have lost the competition. Here's some strand of algae that seems to be surviving barely but I don't know what it is (it's the little strand in the corner): Any ideas? I could pull out fistfuls of the grape caulerpa every few weeks. I know there's lots of different views on this. Does anyone think I'm headed for a disaster?

09/18/2003, 07:18 AM	#2
billsreef Moderator 10 & Over Club Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Long Island, NY/North Miami Posts: 36,538	Thier rapid growth can indeed outcompete other macro's. So long as you regularly pull out the excess to keep things under control you should be just fine. __________________ Bill "LOL, well I have no brain apparently. " - dc (Debi) Current Tank Info: Far too many tanks according to my wife, LOL.

09/18/2003, 09:11 AM	#3
Dag Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,292	That's my plan. I was hoping to have a whole variety of macros but so far it's only the survival of the fittest. Any thoughts on that third picture that I can't ID?

09/20/2003, 01:28 AM	#4
horge Reefer Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Philippines Posts: 1,876	You've got what looks like First pic: C. lentillifera, but I'd like a sharper pic. Second pic doesn't have enough detail --there are a number of "feather caulerpa" species Third pic is just too fuzzy. What you want to do is get a closeup shot that provides detail. Alternatively, you can describe in detail. Size, blade shape, blade edge, cross-sectional shape, etc... I agree with Bill: Show the weeds who's boss, and don't take any guff from 'em. If any of the weeds give ya trouble: smoke 'em.