White fuzz on live rock

mtb888 · 04/15/2009, 03:28 PM

I have noticed a white fuzz growing underneath my live rock. Its only in areas where rocks meet or that dont get much light. Any idea what this stuff is or if is going to be a problem.

HighlandReefer · 04/15/2009, 04:25 PM

Hard to say from a verbal description. It could be a lot of things. A good close-up sharp picture may help in IDing it.

mtb888 · 04/15/2009, 06:15 PM

I would like to take a picture of it, however, it is unable to get photographed because of its location. What could it be?

HighlandReefer · 04/16/2009, 03:27 AM

When you say a white fuzz, the first thing that comes to mind is a fungus or bacteria (no chlorophyll and no body shape). It could be a sponge if it is not like an extremely loose cotton ball.

Does it seem to be spreading?

mtb888 · 04/16/2009, 12:12 PM

It is spreading but not taking over. It is not like a cotton ball more like white fuzzy hair algae. I dont know and know one I have talked to has had any idea what it is called.

HighlandReefer · 04/16/2009, 12:25 PM

Does it look like the photos in this thread:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...ghlight=fungus

mtb888 · 04/16/2009, 06:11 PM

kind of but not so long. That is similar and I dont have it growing in any high light areas like that. What is that?

HighlandReefer · 04/16/2009, 07:05 PM

IMHO, it is most likely a fungus.

mtb888 · 04/16/2009, 07:39 PM

What does IMHO mean?

mtb888 · 04/16/2009, 07:40 PM

How do I get rid of it?

HighlandReefer · 04/16/2009, 08:03 PM

In my humble opinion = IMHO. A good way to say that I am not 100% positive.

I have read several articles about fungus in the ocean. I have found nothing about control of fungus in a reef aquarium, except on fish. I am very familiar with controlling fungus in homes and on plant materials found on land. When one wants to control fungus on land, eliminating the water source is the best way to go, but is not possible in a reef tank.

There are a few fungicides available for application to rid fungus on or in fish. After talking to one of the representatives that sells these products, he told me that they would not be effective in controlling fungus in your situation. Most fungicides control the spore stage anyway.

This leaves AlgaeFix Marine, which is a broad spectrum biocide, which means it will kill a lot of different organisms. At higher levels, the active ingredient in AlgaeFix will kill fungus. I talked to the rep. for AlgaeFix, but he was not very knowledgeable about the product, IMHO. AlgaeFix would be the only product that I am aware of that might work. Personally, I would not be to concerned about your pest unless it starts spreading out of control. Many fungus can be quite harmless and non-invasive.

mtb888 · 04/16/2009, 08:42 PM

What are your thoughts on it only being under the rock or in low flow and light areas. That is very different from it being on a power head like above.

HighlandReefer · 04/17/2009, 04:53 AM

Fungi do not need light. Some grow in total darkness. They produce spores which will disperse throughout the water column. You can't eliminate them by low nitrate & phosphate. I don't know about possible predators in a reef aquarium (fish.... shrimp, etc. that may eat the fungi.

If you are seeing your pest only under your rock, it could be a sponge. Again a nice picture would help. Sponges are harmless.

This is an example of a sponge. Sponges come in a variety of colors. Notice it actually looks spongy:

Boomer · 04/17/2009, 09:18 AM

The white fuzz in question is a bacteria and it is not very common but on a rare occasion pops-up. I have seen it anywhere from short to over a foot long. The Lake Superior Zoo Great Barrier Reef aquarium was plagued with this stuff when they set up their new system with water from the Minnesota Zoological Gardens water. I had some info on this stuff long ago but don't anymore.

It should be pretty easy to tell if is a bacteria or a fungus by using the Methylene Blue test. Fungus will turn blue on contact with this dye and the bacteria will not. Methylene Blue is quite common in this hobby and is found in most LFS. It is often used for treating fish eggs against fungus infections. It is a light molecular weight organic/inorganic dye and is called heterocyclic aromatic compound , C₁₆H₁₈ClN₃S. It is also used in medicine and used to treat fish for Nitrite toxicity and to reduce the onset of methemoglobinemia ( brown blood) and as a O2 transporter. It is also use in the bait fish industry to deliver O2

HighlandReefer · 04/17/2009, 02:07 PM

Now you know why I use IMHO.

That said, I have yet to see Boomer make a wrong call.

In the first picture, the branched protrusions at the end of the tuft, appeared to look like fungus fruiting bodies to me. Looking through a scope would help.

Boomer · 04/17/2009, 05:11 PM

Yes, Cliff it will help. There is quite a distinction between fungus and bacteria. Many people mis-ID bacteria in FW and SW for fungus. Fungus is kinda' rare is seawater or a true fungal infection on say fish. When it does take place as a infection it is almost always a secondary infection due to some other wound. Fungus is not like bacteria at all where it is going to grow. Meaning, it is not going to grow on power heads, it is almost always associated with an organic source. Not much organic is a PH

HighlandReefer · 04/17/2009, 05:58 PM

Thanks for the explanation Boomer. It makes total sense. After I think this issue through, you are correct that the fungus will need organic material, either dead or live to grow. There can't be enough on that pump housing to support much of anything.

mtb888 · 04/19/2009, 01:30 PM

Will Methylene Blue harm my coral or other organisms? What do I do once I have figured out if it is a fungus or bacteria? Is there a way to get rid of it?

HighlandReefer · 04/19/2009, 02:36 PM

I would pull a piece of rock or whatever you can get, that does not have coral on it, and use that to test with. You can pull some of the organism itself out and use it also. I would be interested in the results. Please keep use posted.

aZhu · 04/19/2009, 06:53 PM

I think I know what mtb888 is talking about. I also have no clue as to what they are but I have them on my tank also. Does anyone know what these things are and if they're harmful?

mtb888 · 04/19/2009, 06:58 PM

I have that too. It isnt that it really looks like the pictures highlandreefer posted witht he powerhead shot. How do I get ride of it is the question? Wheather or not its a fungus or bacteria how do I get rid of it? Boomer helped with the Methylene Blue but does that kill it or just turn it color so it can be identified?

CorkPullerPHL · 04/19/2009, 07:56 PM

Azhu,

Those look like pineapple sponges. They are totally harmless, but sometimes annoying.

aZhu · 04/19/2009, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CorkPullerPHL
Azhu,

Those look like pineapple sponges. They are totally harmless, but sometimes annoying.

Would you happen to have more info on them or a good way of removing them before the overtake all the live rock?

HighlandReefer · 04/20/2009, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtb888
I have that too. It isnt that it really looks like the pictures highlandreefer posted witht he powerhead shot. How do I get ride of it is the question? Wheather or not its a fungus or bacteria how do I get rid of it? Boomer helped with the Methylene Blue but does that kill it or just turn it color so it can be identified?

For the organism in the picture I posted, AlgaeFix Marine has worked for at least one other hobbyist that I know of.

Methylene Blue will stain the fungi a blue color, whereas bacteria according to Boomer, will not stain blue in color with it.

HighlandReefer · 04/20/2009, 04:51 AM

aZhu,

To Reef Central

I am enjoying your sharp, focused photos.

04/15/2009, 03:28 PM	#1
mtb888 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bay City, Michigan Posts: 55	White fuzz on live rock I have noticed a white fuzz growing underneath my live rock. Its only in areas where rocks meet or that dont get much light. Any idea what this stuff is or if is going to be a problem. __________________ mtb888 Current Tank Info: 40 gallon breeder, 4x39 watts T5 fixture, Aqua C-Remora Protein Simmer, Hagen hang on filtration, soft & lps, cleaning crew, 50 lbs of mixed live rock, occelaris clownfish, royal gramma, bared goby, scooter blennie, cleaner shrimp,

04/15/2009, 04:25 PM	#2
HighlandReefer Team RC Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highland, Maryland Entomologist Posts: 14,591	Hard to say from a verbal description. It could be a lot of things. A good close-up sharp picture may help in IDing it. __________________ Cliff Babcock Intestests: Digital Microscopy; Marine Pest Control; Marine Plants & Macroalgae Current Tank Info: 180 g. mixed reef system

04/15/2009, 06:15 PM	#3
mtb888 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bay City, Michigan Posts: 55	I would like to take a picture of it, however, it is unable to get photographed because of its location. What could it be? __________________ mtb888 Current Tank Info: 40 gallon breeder, 4x39 watts T5 fixture, Aqua C-Remora Protein Simmer, Hagen hang on filtration, soft & lps, cleaning crew, 50 lbs of mixed live rock, occelaris clownfish, royal gramma, bared goby, scooter blennie, cleaner shrimp,

04/16/2009, 03:27 AM	#4
HighlandReefer Team RC Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highland, Maryland Entomologist Posts: 14,591	When you say a white fuzz, the first thing that comes to mind is a fungus or bacteria (no chlorophyll and no body shape). It could be a sponge if it is not like an extremely loose cotton ball. Does it seem to be spreading? __________________ Cliff Babcock Intestests: Digital Microscopy; Marine Pest Control; Marine Plants & Macroalgae Current Tank Info: 180 g. mixed reef system

04/16/2009, 12:12 PM	#5
mtb888 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bay City, Michigan Posts: 55	It is spreading but not taking over. It is not like a cotton ball more like white fuzzy hair algae. I dont know and know one I have talked to has had any idea what it is called. __________________ mtb888 Current Tank Info: 40 gallon breeder, 4x39 watts T5 fixture, Aqua C-Remora Protein Simmer, Hagen hang on filtration, soft & lps, cleaning crew, 50 lbs of mixed live rock, occelaris clownfish, royal gramma, bared goby, scooter blennie, cleaner shrimp,

04/16/2009, 12:25 PM	#6
HighlandReefer Team RC Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highland, Maryland Entomologist Posts: 14,591	Does it look like the photos in this thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...ghlight=fungus __________________ Cliff Babcock Intestests: Digital Microscopy; Marine Pest Control; Marine Plants & Macroalgae Current Tank Info: 180 g. mixed reef system

04/16/2009, 06:11 PM	#7
mtb888 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bay City, Michigan Posts: 55	kind of but not so long. That is similar and I dont have it growing in any high light areas like that. What is that? __________________ mtb888 Current Tank Info: 40 gallon breeder, 4x39 watts T5 fixture, Aqua C-Remora Protein Simmer, Hagen hang on filtration, soft & lps, cleaning crew, 50 lbs of mixed live rock, occelaris clownfish, royal gramma, bared goby, scooter blennie, cleaner shrimp,

04/16/2009, 07:05 PM	#8
HighlandReefer Team RC Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highland, Maryland Entomologist Posts: 14,591	IMHO, it is most likely a fungus. __________________ Cliff Babcock Intestests: Digital Microscopy; Marine Pest Control; Marine Plants & Macroalgae Current Tank Info: 180 g. mixed reef system

04/16/2009, 07:39 PM	#9
mtb888 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bay City, Michigan Posts: 55	What does IMHO mean? __________________ mtb888 Current Tank Info: 40 gallon breeder, 4x39 watts T5 fixture, Aqua C-Remora Protein Simmer, Hagen hang on filtration, soft & lps, cleaning crew, 50 lbs of mixed live rock, occelaris clownfish, royal gramma, bared goby, scooter blennie, cleaner shrimp,

04/16/2009, 07:40 PM	#10
mtb888 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bay City, Michigan Posts: 55	How do I get rid of it? __________________ mtb888 Current Tank Info: 40 gallon breeder, 4x39 watts T5 fixture, Aqua C-Remora Protein Simmer, Hagen hang on filtration, soft & lps, cleaning crew, 50 lbs of mixed live rock, occelaris clownfish, royal gramma, bared goby, scooter blennie, cleaner shrimp,

04/16/2009, 08:03 PM	#11
HighlandReefer Team RC Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highland, Maryland Entomologist Posts: 14,591	In my humble opinion = IMHO. A good way to say that I am not 100% positive. I have read several articles about fungus in the ocean. I have found nothing about control of fungus in a reef aquarium, except on fish. I am very familiar with controlling fungus in homes and on plant materials found on land. When one wants to control fungus on land, eliminating the water source is the best way to go, but is not possible in a reef tank. There are a few fungicides available for application to rid fungus on or in fish. After talking to one of the representatives that sells these products, he told me that they would not be effective in controlling fungus in your situation. Most fungicides control the spore stage anyway. This leaves AlgaeFix Marine, which is a broad spectrum biocide, which means it will kill a lot of different organisms. At higher levels, the active ingredient in AlgaeFix will kill fungus. I talked to the rep. for AlgaeFix, but he was not very knowledgeable about the product, IMHO. AlgaeFix would be the only product that I am aware of that might work. Personally, I would not be to concerned about your pest unless it starts spreading out of control. Many fungus can be quite harmless and non-invasive. __________________ Cliff Babcock Intestests: Digital Microscopy; Marine Pest Control; Marine Plants & Macroalgae Current Tank Info: 180 g. mixed reef system

04/16/2009, 08:42 PM	#12
mtb888 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bay City, Michigan Posts: 55	What are your thoughts on it only being under the rock or in low flow and light areas. That is very different from it being on a power head like above. __________________ mtb888 Current Tank Info: 40 gallon breeder, 4x39 watts T5 fixture, Aqua C-Remora Protein Simmer, Hagen hang on filtration, soft & lps, cleaning crew, 50 lbs of mixed live rock, occelaris clownfish, royal gramma, bared goby, scooter blennie, cleaner shrimp,

04/17/2009, 04:53 AM	#13
HighlandReefer Team RC Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highland, Maryland Entomologist Posts: 14,591	Fungi do not need light. Some grow in total darkness. They produce spores which will disperse throughout the water column. You can't eliminate them by low nitrate & phosphate. I don't know about possible predators in a reef aquarium (fish.... shrimp, etc. that may eat the fungi. If you are seeing your pest only under your rock, it could be a sponge. Again a nice picture would help. Sponges are harmless. This is an example of a sponge. Sponges come in a variety of colors. Notice it actually looks spongy: __________________ Cliff Babcock Intestests: Digital Microscopy; Marine Pest Control; Marine Plants & Macroalgae Current Tank Info: 180 g. mixed reef system Last edited by HighlandReefer; 04/17/2009 at 05:18 AM.

04/17/2009, 09:18 AM	#14
Boomer Bomb Technician (EOD) Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 11,842	The white fuzz in question is a bacteria and it is not very common but on a rare occasion pops-up. I have seen it anywhere from short to over a foot long. The Lake Superior Zoo Great Barrier Reef aquarium was plagued with this stuff when they set up their new system with water from the Minnesota Zoological Gardens water. I had some info on this stuff long ago but don't anymore. It should be pretty easy to tell if is a bacteria or a fungus by using the Methylene Blue test. Fungus will turn blue on contact with this dye and the bacteria will not. Methylene Blue is quite common in this hobby and is found in most LFS. It is often used for treating fish eggs against fungus infections. It is a light molecular weight organic/inorganic dye and is called heterocyclic aromatic compound , C₁₆H₁₈ClN₃S. It is also used in medicine and used to treat fish for Nitrite toxicity and to reduce the onset of methemoglobinemia ( brown blood) and as a O2 transporter. It is also use in the bait fish industry to deliver O2 __________________ If you See Me Running You Better Catch-Up Seawater Chemistry, Geology, ID Marine Life, Collecting Science Books, Explosives Technology, Audiophile An explosion can be defined as a loud noise, accompanied by the sudden going away of things, from a place where they use to be.

04/17/2009, 02:07 PM	#15
HighlandReefer Team RC Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highland, Maryland Entomologist Posts: 14,591	Now you know why I use IMHO. That said, I have yet to see Boomer make a wrong call. In the first picture, the branched protrusions at the end of the tuft, appeared to look like fungus fruiting bodies to me. Looking through a scope would help. __________________ Cliff Babcock Intestests: Digital Microscopy; Marine Pest Control; Marine Plants & Macroalgae Current Tank Info: 180 g. mixed reef system

04/17/2009, 05:11 PM	#16
Boomer Bomb Technician (EOD) Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 11,842	Yes, Cliff it will help. There is quite a distinction between fungus and bacteria. Many people mis-ID bacteria in FW and SW for fungus. Fungus is kinda' rare is seawater or a true fungal infection on say fish. When it does take place as a infection it is almost always a secondary infection due to some other wound. Fungus is not like bacteria at all where it is going to grow. Meaning, it is not going to grow on power heads, it is almost always associated with an organic source. Not much organic is a PH __________________ If you See Me Running You Better Catch-Up Seawater Chemistry, Geology, ID Marine Life, Collecting Science Books, Explosives Technology, Audiophile An explosion can be defined as a loud noise, accompanied by the sudden going away of things, from a place where they use to be.

04/17/2009, 05:58 PM	#17
HighlandReefer Team RC Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highland, Maryland Entomologist Posts: 14,591	Thanks for the explanation Boomer. It makes total sense. After I think this issue through, you are correct that the fungus will need organic material, either dead or live to grow. There can't be enough on that pump housing to support much of anything. __________________ Cliff Babcock Intestests: Digital Microscopy; Marine Pest Control; Marine Plants & Macroalgae Current Tank Info: 180 g. mixed reef system

04/19/2009, 01:30 PM	#18
mtb888 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bay City, Michigan Posts: 55	Will Methylene Blue harm my coral or other organisms? What do I do once I have figured out if it is a fungus or bacteria? Is there a way to get rid of it? __________________ mtb888 Current Tank Info: 40 gallon breeder, 4x39 watts T5 fixture, Aqua C-Remora Protein Simmer, Hagen hang on filtration, soft & lps, cleaning crew, 50 lbs of mixed live rock, occelaris clownfish, royal gramma, bared goby, scooter blennie, cleaner shrimp,

04/19/2009, 02:36 PM	#19
HighlandReefer Team RC Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highland, Maryland Entomologist Posts: 14,591	I would pull a piece of rock or whatever you can get, that does not have coral on it, and use that to test with. You can pull some of the organism itself out and use it also. I would be interested in the results. Please keep use posted. __________________ Cliff Babcock Intestests: Digital Microscopy; Marine Pest Control; Marine Plants & Macroalgae Current Tank Info: 180 g. mixed reef system

04/19/2009, 06:53 PM	#20
aZhu Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 54	White fuzzy things. What are they?! I think I know what mtb888 is talking about. I also have no clue as to what they are but I have them on my tank also. Does anyone know what these things are and if they're harmful?

04/19/2009, 06:58 PM	#21
mtb888 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bay City, Michigan Posts: 55	I have that too. It isnt that it really looks like the pictures highlandreefer posted witht he powerhead shot. How do I get ride of it is the question? Wheather or not its a fungus or bacteria how do I get rid of it? Boomer helped with the Methylene Blue but does that kill it or just turn it color so it can be identified? __________________ mtb888 Current Tank Info: 40 gallon breeder, 4x39 watts T5 fixture, Aqua C-Remora Protein Simmer, Hagen hang on filtration, soft & lps, cleaning crew, 50 lbs of mixed live rock, occelaris clownfish, royal gramma, bared goby, scooter blennie, cleaner shrimp,

04/19/2009, 07:56 PM	#22
CorkPullerPHL Mmm, Beer. Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Exton, Pa Posts: 563	Azhu, Those look like pineapple sponges. They are totally harmless, but sometimes annoying. __________________ It has always been my private conviction that any man who puts his intelligence up against a fish and loses had it coming. - John Steinbeck Current Tank Info: Build on hold - Getting married instead.

04/20/2009, 04:51 AM	#25
HighlandReefer Team RC Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highland, Maryland Entomologist Posts: 14,591	aZhu, To Reef Central I am enjoying your sharp, focused photos. __________________ Cliff Babcock Intestests: Digital Microscopy; Marine Pest Control; Marine Plants & Macroalgae Current Tank Info: 180 g. mixed reef system