Help identify some LR hitchhikers

va_riverrat · 05/31/2007, 07:24 PM

Hello all,
Trying to figure out what these are. This is a new tank that has been up for close to 4 months now. I have these "gold ball" looking things growing all over the place. They aren't a nuisance and will probably be removed as I stock but was just curious what they were. The largest are about 2" across and grow to be that size over a 3 week period. they are translucent and covered in fine hair. I thought they might be some type of sponge:

I also have a couple of these frill-looking things. The largest is about 4" across and has light blue and white bands that are slightly phosphorescent. They are neat looking but are in a bad spot right under the light.

Any guesses?

supervdl · 05/31/2007, 08:10 PM

Last pic looks like a form of Algae. The first one might be a softie?

Salamander · 05/31/2007, 08:25 PM

Not sure on the first one. I think the second one may be scroll algae.

Konadog · 05/31/2007, 08:32 PM

The last one is padina, Padina spp. are a common group of brown algae (Phaeophyta) with leafy, fan-like blades. Padina lives on hard substrates like rocks in shallow water. The "leaves" are lightly calcified and about 5 cm in diameter.

The other stuff I believe is another type of algae, not sure but it might be Globe Algae. Not sure what the real name is.

Since you have very good pictures of the stuff, you might try posting in the Marine Plants & Macroalgae forum.

va_riverrat · 05/31/2007, 08:51 PM

Wow, thanks, that was quick. Looks like you nailed it on the scroll algae. Quick google search seems to confirm it. Checking for a pic on globe algae. I'll take the advice and post in the macroalgae forum.

Thanks again.

Konadog · 05/31/2007, 09:01 PM

Here's what I could find, but it came with a bad picture:

The Globe Algae is irregular in shape, globe-shaped, and crinkled in shape. This algae is sometimes twice as high as it is broad.

It's skin membrane is a thin, crisp wall filled with water and air.

The plant is usually attached to other algae, seagrasses or rock by a small, crusty base. Globe Algae is also called Bubbleweed.

Globe Algae is light yellow or honey-brown to dark brown in colour.

lmh11706 · 05/31/2007, 09:34 PM

1st pic actually looks like a yellowish leather

trae · 06/01/2007, 02:24 AM

Hmmm never seen this before.

Frick-n-Frags · 06/01/2007, 05:15 AM

pic #1 is for sure algae

someone just had a piece of that growing in their overflow in another thread. I forget the name. I remember guessing Lobophora, which it wasn't, but I'll guess Lobophora again for this one..

#2 = Padina for sure.

05/31/2007, 08:25 PM	#3
Salamander Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Flagstaff, Arizona Posts: 2,103	Not sure on the first one. I think the second one may be scroll algae. __________________ I feel more like myself now than I did before. Current Tank Info: 120g mixed reef, 2 x 250W DE MH, 2 x 54w T5, MSX 200 SKimmer, 2 Koralia 4's, 40g fuge/sump, QT

05/31/2007, 08:32 PM	#4
Konadog Master of the 16 hour day Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: East Long Beach, So Cal Posts: 13,151 Blog Entries: 4	The last one is padina, Padina spp. are a common group of brown algae (Phaeophyta) with leafy, fan-like blades. Padina lives on hard substrates like rocks in shallow water. The "leaves" are lightly calcified and about 5 cm in diameter. The other stuff I believe is another type of algae, not sure but it might be Globe Algae. Not sure what the real name is. Since you have very good pictures of the stuff, you might try posting in the Marine Plants & Macroalgae forum. __________________ Save the Reefs................................................................Save the world! -Ken Current Tank Info: Currently tankless, and loving it!

05/31/2007, 09:01 PM	#6
Konadog Master of the 16 hour day Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: East Long Beach, So Cal Posts: 13,151 Blog Entries: 4	Here's what I could find, but it came with a bad picture: The Globe Algae is irregular in shape, globe-shaped, and crinkled in shape. This algae is sometimes twice as high as it is broad. It's skin membrane is a thin, crisp wall filled with water and air. The plant is usually attached to other algae, seagrasses or rock by a small, crusty base. Globe Algae is also called Bubbleweed. Globe Algae is light yellow or honey-brown to dark brown in colour. __________________ Save the Reefs................................................................Save the world! -Ken Current Tank Info: Currently tankless, and loving it!

06/01/2007, 02:24 AM	#8
trae DR Octopod Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Honolulu Posts: 380	Hmmm never seen this before. __________________ For a fish today, i will gladly pay you Tuesday. What tha Frag! Current Tank Info: 240gal mixed reef build in the works

06/01/2007, 05:15 AM	#9
Frick-n-Frags Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: north central OH Posts: 10,740	pic #1 is for sure algae someone just had a piece of that growing in their overflow in another thread. I forget the name. I remember guessing Lobophora, which it wasn't, but I'll guess Lobophora again for this one.. #2 = Padina for sure. __________________ Only Dead fish swim with the current. Current Tank Info: 2 50 gal tanks, sump, still BB

05/31/2007, 07:24 PM	#1
va_riverrat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 15	Help identify some LR hitchhikers Hello all, Trying to figure out what these are. This is a new tank that has been up for close to 4 months now. I have these "gold ball" looking things growing all over the place. They aren't a nuisance and will probably be removed as I stock but was just curious what they were. The largest are about 2" across and grow to be that size over a 3 week period. they are translucent and covered in fine hair. I thought they might be some type of sponge: I also have a couple of these frill-looking things. The largest is about 4" across and has light blue and white bands that are slightly phosphorescent. They are neat looking but are in a bad spot right under the light. Any guesses?

05/31/2007, 08:10 PM	#2
supervdl Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: NE PA Posts: 1,315	Last pic looks like a form of Algae. The first one might be a softie? __________________ My tank thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1167897 Current Tank Info: 135 gal mixed reef with Radions and Zeovit; 210 gal SPS reef being set up

05/31/2007, 08:51 PM	#5
va_riverrat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 15	Wow, thanks, that was quick. Looks like you nailed it on the scroll algae. Quick google search seems to confirm it. Checking for a pic on globe algae. I'll take the advice and post in the macroalgae forum. Thanks again.

05/31/2007, 09:34 PM	#7
lmh11706 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: bayshore,long island ny Posts: 269	1st pic actually looks like a yellowish leather