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FAQs about Green Macro-Algae Identification 3
Related Articles: Embracing
Biodiversity, Green Algae By Mark E. Evans,
Green Algae, Green Algae 2, Avoiding
Algae Problems in Marine System,
Algae Control,
Marine Maintenance, Nutrient
Control and Export, 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, Related FAQs:
Green Macro-Algae ID 1, Green
Macro-Algae ID 2, Green Macro-Algae ID
4, Green Macro-Algae ID 5, &
Caulerpas, Green Macro-Algae 1, Green
Macro-Algae 2, Green Macro-Algae 3,
Green Macro-Algae 4, Chlorophyte
Behavior, Chlorophyte
Compatibility/Control, Chlorophyte
Selection, Chlorophyte Systems,
Chlorophyte Nutrition, Chlorophyte
Disease, Chlorophyte
Reproduction/Propagation, 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, | 
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The Green Blob, SW alg. ID -02/25/08
Hello,
<Hi, SH,
Mike I with you today>
I saw the most disgusting looking thing in my
aquarium a few days ago. I had taken a few pieces of rock out of my
aquarium to rearrange them. On one I saw something I have no idea how to
do a search for, so hope you can help.
<Fingers crossed!>
It was
round in shape, approximately 1 inch wide. It was a deep green color.
The color was so deep green, it look greenish-black. There was two
smaller ones beside it, so assume it was spreading.(?)
I plucked the
largest off, to get a better look. As I was rubbing it in my fingers to
test texture, it burst, and squirted fluid all over my non-aquarium
loving husband. I will refrain from repeating his words at that. <grin>
<I thank you for the sake of the innocent ears on WWM!>
The membrane
remained in my hands. I took off my gloves then, so I could fell the
membrane better, and it was rather tough. I then removed the two
smallest blobs, and took out all of my rock to check them. That was not
any fun! Especially working with my husband who complained the whole
time.
Anyway a long story short. I have no pics. I burst them too
soon. There are no more in the tank, so far.
I once posted stock,
but forgot one. So, in a 75g I have 1 Brittle Star, 1 False Percula, 1
Cowry, 3 large Turbo Snails. A few Astrea, and Nassarius Snails, a
couple of Hermit Crabs, 2 smalls frags. So, my tank has a very light
bio-load. After a year in this hobby, no one can claim I jumped in too
fast. I have a Euro-Reef skimmer, and I use socks as well.
Do you
have any ideas what the round, dark green, fluid filled things were?
I thank you, SH
<Well, they sound like the could be Valonia, a green
algae. A search using that name will bring you lots of information but
to start you off, there's a few pictures and questions here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/grnalgfaqs2.htm
If that's not the culprit, then next time take a pic, or you could try a
more detailed description. Hope that helps. Mike I>
Re: The Green Blob.. ie, Algae ID 2/27/08
Mike, You
are an absolute genius!
<I told BobF so!><<Heeee! We'll double all's
pay... RMF>>
It is Valonia. Thank you for ID'ing that for me, so now
I can do my research. SH
<Thanks for the thanks, SH. You're most
welcome. Mike I>
Algae ID 2/4/08
Hi,
<Hello Chris>
It's been a long time
since I've had to ask any questions, but I'm stuck (again) with an algae
problem. I must admit, that I've let slip my upkeep of my reef tank, but
even so, it's state is not that critical. I do however have a strange
algae that I am not able to identify. I was always convinced that it was
Bryopsis, as nothing touched it, not a snail, a fish.....nothing! Even
though my test kits say zero for Nitrates and Phosphates (I run RO
water, carbon and phosphate absorber all the time) I still get this one
type of algae to grow. I did a massive cleaning last night, so I forgot
to take a photo, but I'll try and explain the algae. The color is dark
green, and grows as short 1 inch long spikes forming a brush. In fact,
if one moves, it has a silvery sheen to it. The algae grows in small
clumps, is fairly hard or rigid, and can be removed fairly easily from
the rocks. My thoughts are that it might also be Cladophora, but I don't
know. What algae are you aware of that are short, hard, hard and form
small tufts?
<I'm betting that this is Bryopsis pennata. See/read
here.
http://www.hawaii.edu/reefalgae/invasive_algae/chloro/bryopsis_pennata.htm
James
(Salty Dog)>
Cheers
Chris
Green alg ID, SW 2/3/08
Hello all... Just a quick
question. I have this piece of live rock I purchased some time ago,
and what started out as a bump has grown into what is on the
attached photo. What is this marine plant called?
<Isn't a plant,
but the pic is so poor...>
It has no bulbs or anything, just oval
shaped leaves and bumps on the stems. The camera is not the best,
but hopefully you can make out the plant. Thank you in advance. Love
the site. Ken.
<A better image please. Bob Fenner> | 
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Neon green worm-like things: Neomeris annulata – 2/2/08
Greetings
Guys and Gals!
<Hello, Wes!>
It seems like it's been forever since
I've had to write you, though, in reality it was just five months ago.
<Welcome back!>
Just an update (in case you want it), I have a 125g
reef tank with a pretty light fish load and several corals that are
really growing (the xenia seems to multiply like rabbits and the
mushrooms aren't far behind).
<Oh yes, those can take off on you if
you’re not careful! A couple of years ago I decided I wanted some blue
mushrooms. Hmmmmm, now I have them everywhere!>
Everything is going
very well - slight outbreak of hair algae a couple of months ago that
seems to now be receding with reduced feeding and phosphate control.
<Excellent!>
Anyway, I've had most of the live rock in the tank for
over a year, I added some pieces about two months ago, but they went
through six weeks of quarantine sitting on PVC legs to try and make sure
they didn't carry any harmful critters in with them.
<Oh, you are
good!>
Over about the past 45 days, I've noticed these neon green
worm-like things sprouting up out of the live rock near the green star
polyps. At first, I just thought they were related to the polyps, but,
upon closer inspection, they're clearly not. They appear to be at least
semi-rigid (they don't move with water flow as the star polyps do) and
they seem to be getting larger.
I've looked on the site and haven't
found anything that resembles them. Can you tell me what they are?
Harmful, beneficial or neutral?
<Mmmmmm, neutral. What you have is
Neomeris annulata, a beautiful, harmless, calcium loving macroalgae.
Please see WWM for more information regarding, starting here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/greenalg.htm, and/or enter "Neomeris
annulata" in our search engine here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/WWMAdminSubWebIndex/question_page.htm >
Thanks -
Wes
<You’re very welcome! Take care. –Lynn> | 
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Algae ID 12/23/07
Hi guys, I sent this last week but didn't get a
response, I thought maybe you didn't get it so I thought I'd send it
again, sorry if it's a duplicate!
<Not a problem>
Hello fish
gurus!
<Hello Elise>
I'm looking for some help identifying this
growth in my 150 gallon live rock set-up. It is slow growing, but
starting to get out of control. I have a Blue Tang (Dori) and a Sailfin
Tang who don't touch it. I was thinking about trying an Emerald Crab,
though I have a couple of Skunk Cleaner Shrimp I wouldn't like to lose.
Any suggestions?
<Looks much like Bryopsis pennata. I think a Tuxedo
Urchin would do the trick here.>
I am also curious about the yellow
stuff growing. It is very slow growing, and is just in this one spot.
I'm thinking some kind of sponge?
<Tis a type of sponge.>
Thanks
in advance,
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Elise | 
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Algae Identification... Nutrient control 12/06/2007
Bob, good
morning!
<Hi Phil, Mich helping out the big bad Bobster today.>
I
am having trouble identifying some very slow growing, but becoming
problem algae in my reef tank.
<Well, at least it's growing slowly
for you.>
Due to the nature of the question I am having a very hard
time searching for it. I tried
some algae identification web sites
and the closest I came is Cladophoropsis sp., but I am unsure based on
the limited pictures posted.
<My guess would have been either
Bryopsis or Cladophora. Often it is challenging to determine which algae
is which even under microscopic examination.>
This algae is VERY hard
to remove physically, it seems to be growing out of the live rock
pulling on it with strength just breaks it off at the bottom leaving a
stub of algae remaining. It’s hard like grass outside, dark green, thin
strands. I have attached a picture of a close-up of one bunch growing.
The reason for the question is, with proper identification, I can find
something to graze on it I hope.
<Yeah... good luck with that... Some
suggestions offered by J. Sprung include tangs and rabbitfish (For tanks
of at least 75 gallons), Diadema and tuxedo urchins, and Mithraculus
crab... Each presents its’ own set of problems. A better way is to
control you nutrients, increase your water changes and adding a refugium
with a beneficial macroalgae such as Chaetomorpha. More here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/nutrientcontrol.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/algaeconMar.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/avoidingalgaeproblesm.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/scottsh2ochgart.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/refugium.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/maralgae.htm
So far, the usual algae crews
don't have a taste for it.
<A very common problem for many similar
algae.>
Thanks a ton Bob!
<Welcome a ton Phil! Mich>
Phil | 
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Bubble Algae… Boergesenia forbesii 11/25/2007
Hello Crew!
<Hi
Dave! Mich with you tonight.>
I had already sent this email a few
minutes ago but decided to resend it with a photo this time. Hope this
doesn’t lead to any confusion.
<Nope! Think I grabbed both.>
I set
up a 120-gallon tank 1 month ago, and have placed 3 small fish and 4
corals from a pre-existing nano reef that I took down. The rock had been
cycled for nearly 4 months in 2 "Brute" garbage cans because I had to
exchange the 120 a couple times. I did not use any of the rock from my
nano, though I ultimately plan to add it.
Getting to the point, 3 of
the rocks have already broken out in a bad case of green bubble
algae...didn't take long, did it?
<Nope!>
It doesn’t seem like
Valonia, but lighter colored and more oblong in shape.
<Is a type of
bubble algae, likely Boergesenia forbesii. I would remove the rocks from
the system, remove the bubble algae manually and then rinse the rock
well with system water outside of the tank.
More here:
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-02/hcj/feature/index.php >
Now
I know that a new tank will continue to have various algae species go
through cycles for several months, and I have read everything on the
site about bubble algae, but not sure if there is something I should do.
<Yes, see above.>
Should I remove these 3 rocks while I still might
have a chance at eliminating these algae?
<Yes, I would even better
if you can keep them outside of the system till you see how well the
manually removal worked.>
Will it likely die back with time?
<Mmm, I would not chance it.>
I tested my water and Nitrates and
Phosphates are zero, which is what I expected with so little livestock.
<Yes, but this doesn’t mean they aren't present. The excess nutrients
may be utilize by such nuisance algae as it is produced and thus not
detectable.>
I'm kind of bummed since I have been really going
slowly, with a lot of planning to do this system right, and I already
have this nuisance.
<Don't let this discourage you. Some nuisance
algae is a normal part of the cycle. Continued patience will be
rewarded. Take it slow.>
Any advice would be appreciated.
<Hope
this helps.>
Thanks,
<Welcome, Mich>
Dave |
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What is this stuff, some sort of macro algae?
Algae Control 9/24/07
Hello Fine Folk,
<Hello Russell>
I
have a 110g mixed reef system full of live rock and coral. Only one
little fish at this point...Royal Gramma. I bought a complete system
from someone else and in the intervening two month I have had a prolific
outbreak of this stuff ( see attached picture) growing up out of the
live rock through many of my corals. It is really taking over and am
concerned it is going hurt the corals. Is it some sort of macro algae?
How do I get rid of it?
<Yes, it is a type of macro, possibly a
Caulerpa specie. It could hurt the corals by blocking needed light
required by them. As far as control, read here and linked files above.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/algaeconMar.htm
James (Salty Dog)>
Russell Furst | 
Mmm, more likely a Bryopsis sp. RMF
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Chaetomorpha Identification 9/11/07
Hi team,
<Hi Dave, Mich here.>
I'm in the process of installing a 200l
sump/refugium to support my 700l display tank. I live in New Zealand,
which doesn't allow for the import of any foreign vegetation.
<Ahh,
yes, and similar issues with livestock in Australia as well I am
learning.>
I would like to harvest Chaetomorpha in the refugium.
<A good decision I think.>
This macro algae grows freely throughout
shore areas of NZ and so I thought I'd don my boots and visit a
non-reserve area and bring home a fistful in a plastic bag.
<Sounds
good as long as it's legal.>
I've seen many pictures on-line but have
never seen the algae first hand as it were. The LFS's don't stock such
stuff and nor does any of the on-line communities that I've made
enquiries with. So my question is how can I make a positive ID on any
algae that I collect?
<Most all that I have ever seen is kind of
distinctive in look and in texture. It typically looks and feels a
little like a Brillo pad. You can see a picture I took of some in my
tank here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/greenalg.htm
I'm not sure
the number of species but presumably there could be variations. You can
always take a picture and send it in. Someone, will gladly give you an
opinion!>
Thanks in advance
<Welcome! Mich>
Dave
Identification...Neomeris annulata 9/6/07
Greetings Crew
<Hello again Lynn, Mich here.>
I have attached another picture of
some type of plant that I am unable to identify. They seem to be
growing independently of each other.
<Is Neomeris annulata, which
usually doesn't grow out of control. If you enjoy it keep it, if not
it can be manually removed. You can see more like it here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/greenalg.htm >
Thank you
<Welcome!>
Lynn Vangsnes
<Michelle Lemech> | 
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