Tough algae. What is it and what eats it?

[carri10]

Hiya.
I have this brown/dark red algae that is encrusting on my rocks. It is very hard to get off and I can only pull bits of when it goes leafy.

Any ideas what it is and what eats it?

Thanks

 

[Subsea]

See if this helps.​

Nuisance Algae ID Guide- Reef Cleaners

Nuisance Algae ID Guide. Red Slime, Cyano, Cyanobacteria. Green Film Algae, Film Algae. Green Hair Algae. Green Turf Algae. Bryopsis pennata and B. plumosa. Bubble Algae, Valonia. Lobophora. Blue Green Cyano.

www.reefcleaners.org

​

Green Turf Algae​

What is known as "Green Turf Algae" in the hobby is really a generic name given to hundreds of different species of macroalgae that describe certain similar characteristics. They are coarse, wiry, and generally have thicker wider blades than Green Hair Algae. They may or may not have a mat like root structure, sometimes they just seem to sprout from the rock.

Turf algae that sprouts directly from the rock can be a pain to control, as it is difficult if not impossible to pluck it all. Once discovered it should be treated outside of the aquarium, perhaps by dipping the affected rock or frag in water treated with an algaecide.Turf algae that grows with a "root" mat can be peeled by pushing down on the algae as you scrape your thumb against the rock dislodging it in one swoop. Let it get big enough so you have leverage. The 3reef member who removed this piece did it perfectly.

Clean up Crew members that will eat Green Turf Algae include inverts with considerable cutting power like urchins, chitons, and emerald crabs.

 

[carri10]

Thanks. Definitely not turf.
The guide suggests

Lobophora​

And doesn’t give a lot of hope for a herbivore.
I’m hoping that it will eventually be outcompeted by encrusting Coraline or coral.
Is that a reasonable hope?

 

[VintageReefer]

Thanks. Definitely not turf.
The guide suggests

Lobophora​

And doesn’t give a lot of hope for a herbivore.
I’m hoping that it will eventually be outcompeted by encrusting Coraline or coral.
Is that a reasonable hope?

That could take a year or more. It likely will get worse by then.

If you got rid of it, and then coraline/coral covered the rock, then there is low likelihood of it returning

But waiting…it’s a long wait and the algae will spread

If you want a fast fix, it’s not the most convenient, but it would fix the issue fast…

remove the rock, you can do this with all affected rocks at once, or spread it over the course of a few days

Remove the rock, and spray all affexted areas with a spray bottle and hydrogen peroxide. Spray them down good so the algae gets nice and saturated. Let sit 10 min after spraying is complete. Then return to the tank

Once back in the water after a few min you should see fizz or micro bubbles coming out of the algae areas.

Check back at 24 and 48 hours and algae should be dead. If it’s still there, it’s probably weakened, and you need to repeat, but with more sprays, and leave sitting out of the tank for 15 min then return

 

[carri10]

I’m sure that’s effective, but…. The tank is about 300 gallons, with some fairly major pieces of rock.
I can do the suggested treatment, but it will be a major move, as the lobophora is on a few rocks.

I’d read that naso tangs eat it. This was a fish I was going to get ( I think the tank is big enough). This might be a reason to accelerate that purchase.

Anyone have any experience of this algae being eaten by a herbivore?

 

[VintageReefer]

Sorry, did not realize tank / rock size

 

[BristleWormHater]

Haven't had experience with this algae but reefcleaners has a list of cleaners for it.
Clean Up Crew: Emerald Crabs (best bet here), Sea Hares, some Turbos, Chitons, Limpets, Tangs, Urchins, will pick at it, but it is likely to persist, but at least it will be controlled

 

[MyFirstCar]

I've had tiger cowries go after algae that most things won't touch, maybe worth a shot?

 

[carri10]

Sorry, did not realize tank / rock size

No worries. All advice is welcome!

 

[carri10]

I've had tiger cowries go after algae that most things won't touch, maybe worth a shot?

Might consider, but worried they are not reef safe.