|
|
FAQs about Red Algae/Rhodophyte Identification 6
Related Articles: Red Algae in General,
Coralline Marine Algae, Avoiding
Algae Problems in Marine System,
Algae Control,
Marine Maintenance, Marine Scavengers,
Snails,
Hermit Crabs,
Mithrax/Emerald Green Crabs, Sea Urchins,
Blennies, Algae Filters,
Ctenochaetus/Bristle Mouth Tangs,
Zebrasoma/Sailfin Tangs, Skimmers,
Skimmer Selection, Marine Algae,
Coralline Algae, Green Algae,
Brown Algae, Blue-Green
"Algae"/(Cyanobacteria), Diatoms,
Brown Algae, Algae as Food,
Related FAQs: Red Algae ID 1,
Red Algae ID 2, Red Algae ID 3,
Red Algae ID 4, Red Algae ID5,
Red Algae ID 7,
Red Algae ID 8, & Red Algae 1,
Red Algae 2, Red Algae 3,
Red Algae in General,
Red Algae 2, Red Algae 3,
Red Algae Behavior, Red Algae
Compatibility, Red Algae Selection,
Red Algae Systems, Red Algae
Nutrition, Red Algae Disease,
Red Algae Reproduction/Propagation,
Coralline Algae, Marine
Macro-Algae, Use in Aquariums, Algae
as Food, Marine Algae ID 1,
Marine Algae ID 2, Marine Algae
Control FAQs II, Marine Algaecide
Use, Nutrient Limitation,
Marine Algae Eaters, Culturing
Macro-Algae; Controlling:
BGA/Cyano, Red/Encrusting
Algae, Green Algae,
Brown/Diatom Algae, |
 |
Identification - Red Algae of sorts... reading 12/14/08
I'll try to identify the best I can without pictures.
<In this
day and age... better to send images along>
I have what appears
to be a red algae, not like the Cyanobacteria that I have been
reading about. This specimen has not been spreading to my gravel at
all, but rather on top of many of my rocks and growing almost like
it is in shelves.
<Oh?>
It has been spreading rather
quickly. I have removed it once from all of the rocks, and when it
comes off it comes in chunks and then leaves a lighter color
underneath. I removed most of it and changed water, and cleaned
filters, but it has come right back. I'm having a difficult time
getting control over it as I don't know exactly what I'm dealing
with. Any help you can give is most appreciated. Please keep up the
good work!
Thank you,
Sean
<Please peruse here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/marinvind1.htm
the files linked at
top... Algae Identification... and the links you lead yourself to in
turn. Enjoy the learning, tool. Bob Fenner>
Re: Identification - Red Algae of sorts 12/14/08
Thank
you for the reference. I actually went through that page prior to
emailing you and couldn't find an image that resembled what I
thought I had. I'm attaching some photos this round so hopefully
you'll be able to help me correctly identify what I have so that I
can treat it accordingly. Thank you for the resources that you have
created!
<Ahh, and thank you for sending along the attached pix.
This is assuredly Cyanobacteria... Blue Green "Algae"... there are a
few approaches to its control... Please read starting here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/bluegralgae.htm
and as much of the linked
FAQs files above as you require to familiarize yourself with your
options...
Cheers, Bob Fenner> |
 |
Red algae. ID, control, more – 09/07/08
Hello WWM crew,
<Hello Ed>
My name is Ed, and I have an algae
issue in my 4 year reef tank, and I'm going crazy trying to identify it
and trying to halt its advance.
I have attached two photos of it.
Hopefully you have seen this type before and tell me if anything will
consume it. I have searched WWM in hopes of finding it with no luck. In
one of the picture's you will also see a type of starfish that literally
wraps itself around this algae. Don't mind the 3 year old Mandarin as he
is fat and happy...
<I have seen this algae many times. It is in my
tank!!! I have been plagued by this algae that seems to have originated
from the Bali region of the Indo-Pacific coming in on maricultured
corals sold at local fish stores.
Eric Borneman and I have discussed
this in detail. This thread at his forum shows pictures and there is a
large discussion...
http://forum.marinedepot.com/Topic71371-9-1.aspx
Eric has taken Trochus snails to overcome and control his algae while I
use sea urchins from the diadema family.(Black long spines)We both feel
that this only controls the algae as it can have very small fragments
growing in other areas of the tank we can not see.
In your direct
case, I recommend the removal of any rock with the algae present as it
is very invasive. You can than soak that rock in vinegar and strip the
life off of it, allow it to dry, and then return it to your system to
become re-established with life forms. If the rock is attached or
encrusted with corals, you can either frag(CUT) the coral from the rock
and attach it to another rock with Super-glue Gel, or clean the rock as
best as possible. If you clean the rock you may have to repeat this
procedure several times. Always clean the rock in a separate container
and rinse before returning to the main system. This will prevent
spreading fragments of the algae thru out the system.
The addition of
Trochus snails will help as the ones I have do eat it also.(Very well,
too) Just make sure they are Trochus snails as the other grazers do not
eat it. Some have reported that a Foxface Rabbitfish will eat it also. I
have not had such luck.>
Tank parameters are good, Ammonia-0,
Nitrates and Nitrites-0, Ph 8.3, Alk is
on the lower end at 2.97.<I
would raise Alk to 3.5 and begin checking your Calcium levels with your
Alk levels. They work together and affect each other.>
Sorry for the
second e-mail but, I have added tank information for you.
<No,
problem. I deleted the duplicate. Good luck-Rich...aka...Mr. Firemouth> |
 |
Re: Hippo Tang, now Red Algae, 9/1/08
Dear Mr. Bob Fenner
<Akila>
Thanks a lot for your support. My tang is recovering now.
<Ah, good>
I have a small question. My LFS recommended me a type of
red algae which he said would do well in my tank and which would support
the ecosystem within the tank. So I bought it and quarantined it for 2
weeks. The Red Algae root is attached to a live rock which also has some
coralline algae. While in QT the tips of the algae start becoming paler
or whiter.
<I see this in your photos>
However it was in QT for 2
weeks and transferred to my tank. If it is possible please let me know
what kind of species this is and do you think there is chance of
survival in my tank???
Thanks in advance for your help
Best
regards,
Akila
<Please read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/redalgae.htm
and the linked files above,
particularly Identification... May be a Rhodymenia species... the
bleaching can/should repair in time (months) here... with adequate
biomineral and alkalinity presence. Bob Fenner> |
|
Unknown Polka Dot Blob?, 8/18/08
Hi all you wonderful people!
<Hello>
I have been scouring images until my eyes feel like they are
going to fall out & wonder if you can point me into the right
direction... I honestly try to find it on my own, so as not to bother
you, until I give up! Was thinking it could be a poriferan, then
ascidian, tunicate, egg sac, etc. I see a couple pieces of bubble algae
real close. Can the bubble algae turn into a polka dotted blob? Just
kind of wondering if I should scrub it off?
<Is most likely a species
of Botryocladia, fairly common. Like the more common green bubble algae,
it can overgrow a tank if allowed to.>
Thanks in advance for being so
darn smart - you will most likely know what it is right off the bat!
<Hardly, just happen to get a related query a few days ago.>
Judy
<Chris> | 
|
Red Algae ID 8/17/08
Hi Everyone!
<OCF>
I've attached a
picture of some very leafy red algae I have growing in my 30
gallon
tank.
<Is a beauty!>
Can you identify it?
<Mmm, is a
Rhodophyte, maybe a Fauchea species... see
http://wetwebmedia.com/redalgae.htm
and algaebase.org...>
It's
actually rather nice to look at. It
waves very gently in the tank
current. I have 4 of these growing in the tank
and nothing is eating
them, so they continue to grow. Do you think they are
a detriment or
can I leave them?
<I'd harvest bits/rocks and sell/trade to/through
the local fish store if this were mine. I'd keep it going otherwise>
Thank you so much for considering my
questions. As always, you guys
are the best!
-OneCoolFish
<Welcome! Bob Fenner> | 
|
Feather Duster & algae/sponge Id
8/14//08
Thank you
all for your help in the past. I was wondering if you could Id these for
me.
This Is a picture of Mr. Fuzzy my feather duster. I cant seem to
find the exact name for this guy & the LFS seems a bit confused as they
keep giving me different answers.
<Ok... maybe a Sabellastarte
sanctijosephi or S. indica>
Sorry for the picture quality my camera
is acting up. The water is actually crystal clear but it makes the tank
look murky & nasty. I will try to describe the algae/sponge I have
growing as well as I can.
I found it growing 2-3 months ago on top
of rock that I've had for quite a while. It’s defiantly a purple color
(not nearly as red as in the picture or as dark) the “leaves” as you can
see are irregular around the edges; they appear to be growing in a
layered slightly spiral like arrangement. The leaves are a little darker
& slightly more reddish at the edges than towards the middle.
They
have a very subtle pattern of faintly lighter and darker areas on them &
are covered in sand grain sized speckles deep purple in color. The
leaves are thinner towards the edge and thicker towards the middle. The
texture is smooth & it reminds me of my mushrooms but not as slimy. I've
been watching it for a while now, at first I was convinced it was some
type of algae but after noticing the very minute color variances & tinny
speckles I'm wondering if this could perhaps be some sort of sponge?
<Mmm, looks to me like a Rhodophyte... Read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/redalgae.htm
and the ID files linked above.
Bob Fenner> |  
|
|
|
