Help Identifying Unknown Macroalgae (Photo)

joeychitwood · 11/26/2006, 03:08 PM

I've search several algae databases and image galleries, but I cannot ID this specimen. The macroalgae is now growing in three areas in my 55 corner tank. It is extremely tough and does not come off the rock when brushed with a stainless steel brush.

It is dark green, with areas that appear brown and even black. None of my fish or crabs will eat the stuff. Can anyone out there ID this algae?

amike5 · 11/26/2006, 03:29 PM

Not sure, but I wouldn't want it in my tank!!

joeychitwood · 11/26/2006, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by amike5
Not sure, but I wouldn't want it in my tank!!

No kidding! Unfortunately, it's on the base rocks of my aquascaping, so taking the rocks out to chip away the algae is my last resort.

Ritten · 11/26/2006, 04:40 PM

Joey, I'm wondering if it's a form of hydroids. Do a quick search and see if any pics look like that.

duec22 · 11/26/2006, 05:03 PM

It's called a pain in my a$$.....I've got some of it, but I think I may be beating it back with inceased use of rowaphos.

joeychitwood · 11/26/2006, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ritten
Joey, I'm wondering if it's a form of hydroids. Do a quick search and see if any pics look like that.

I don't think it is hydroids. The algae looks like cut blades of dark green and brown grass. It doesn't break apart with brushing. There are no heads, ferning, or types of structure other than the grass-blade as pictured.

lllosingit · 11/26/2006, 06:42 PM

I had some that looked like and was never able to get an ID.
I was able to remove a couple rocks that had some and the rock I couldn't remove I placed a couple flat rocks over it so it wasn't getting any light at all and it slowly died off.

joeychitwood · 11/27/2006, 07:31 AM

I took another photo of the algae last evening which hopefully shows the morphology more clearly.

joeychitwood · 11/28/2006, 08:21 AM

One last bump in hopes that someone knows what this algae is.

dc · 11/28/2006, 08:26 AM

Can't help you on id Joey, but I'd try covering it with a tile or something to deprive it of light. Pull as much as you can with a pair of hemostats and then cover it.

chrisstie · 11/28/2006, 08:56 AM

This is a little off topic but I see you're keeping that LPS (can't tell if its a brain or donut or what) on your rocks.. has it been doing okay without its flesh being bothered by the rock?

Good luck fighting that stuff I don't think I recall seeing it before either

joeychitwood · 11/28/2006, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by chrisstie
This is a little off topic but I see you're keeping that LPS (can't tell if its a brain or donut or what) on your rocks.. has it been doing okay without its flesh being bothered by the rock?

Good luck fighting that stuff I don't think I recall seeing it before either

The Red Open Brain sitting on the LR above the algae patch is doing very well. I have a large Green Open Brain on the sand just to the right, and I can't say one is growing better than the other.

I'm thinking of trying a Fox Face to see if it will eat the algae. As I've mentioned, it's impossible to remove the algae without actually chipping the attachment site off the main rock.

dc · 11/28/2006, 10:00 AM

Well good luck, mine eats any kind of algae, even cyano.

11/26/2006, 03:08 PM	#1
joeychitwood Schrödinger's Mod Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 3,488	Help Identifying Unknown Macroalgae (Photo) I've search several algae databases and image galleries, but I cannot ID this specimen. The macroalgae is now growing in three areas in my 55 corner tank. It is extremely tough and does not come off the rock when brushed with a stainless steel brush. It is dark green, with areas that appear brown and even black. None of my fish or crabs will eat the stuff. Can anyone out there ID this algae?

11/26/2006, 05:03 PM	#5
duec22 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Sacramento Posts: 2,187	It's called a pain in my a$$.....I've got some of it, but I think I may be beating it back with inceased use of rowaphos. __________________ -David

11/26/2006, 06:42 PM	#7
lllosingit Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Des Moines Iowa Posts: 3,190	I had some that looked like and was never able to get an ID. I was able to remove a couple rocks that had some and the rock I couldn't remove I placed a couple flat rocks over it so it wasn't getting any light at all and it slowly died off. __________________ It Was Funny Until Someone Got Hurt..........Then It Was Hilarious! Current Tank Info: DD 250 60x36x27 450 gallon total system.

11/28/2006, 08:26 AM	#10
dc Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Wyoming Posts: 44,684	Can't help you on id Joey, but I'd try covering it with a tile or something to deprive it of light. Pull as much as you can with a pair of hemostats and then cover it. __________________ Debi ~60 Cube~ Why? Because I said so of course. -Sent via Tapatalk Smoke Signals-

11/28/2006, 08:56 AM	#11
chrisstie Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 4,727	This is a little off topic but I see you're keeping that LPS (can't tell if its a brain or donut or what) on your rocks.. has it been doing okay without its flesh being bothered by the rock? Good luck fighting that stuff I don't think I recall seeing it before either __________________ You lookin' at my wrasse? Current Tank Info: I find it odd that there are children starving in this country and yet we euthanize millions of stray dogs and cats every year and then incinerate the bodies. Not only that, but we make it illegal to butcher the meat. -MarkS

11/26/2006, 03:29 PM	#2
amike5 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Englewood, CO Posts: 724	Not sure, but I wouldn't want it in my tank!!

11/26/2006, 04:40 PM	#4
Ritten Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 2,164	Joey, I'm wondering if it's a form of hydroids. Do a quick search and see if any pics look like that.

11/27/2006, 07:31 AM	#8
joeychitwood Schrödinger's Mod Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 3,488	I took another photo of the algae last evening which hopefully shows the morphology more clearly.

11/28/2006, 08:21 AM	#9
joeychitwood Schrödinger's Mod Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 3,488	One last bump in hopes that someone knows what this algae is.

11/28/2006, 10:00 AM	#13
dc Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Wyoming Posts: 44,684	Well good luck, mine eats any kind of algae, even cyano. __________________ Debi ~60 Cube~ Why? Because I said so of course. -Sent via Tapatalk Smoke Signals-