SFREEF3R
Active Member
Has anyone had confirmed experiences of stunted/inhibited growth from the presence of Caulerpa species? What I mean is:
A) did your growth noticeably increase after the removal of Caulerpa?
OR
B) did your growth noticeably slow after the addition of Caulerpa?
(and if so - with what species)
Background:
Apparently Caulerpa algae species generally (or perhaps all) contain toxins in varying amounts. I have seen it hypothesized that that the presence of this algae in a tank could inhibit the growth of Acroporas or other SPS corals.
From this article:
"Caulerpin was present in C cupressoides, C.paspaloides, C. prolifera and C. sertularioides in amounts varying from less than 1 mg to 5.47 mg per dry gram of alga. Caulerpicin was found in C. ashmeadii, C. paspaloides, C. sertularioides and C racemosa var. uvifera in lesser concentrations ranging from 0.03 to 0.09 mg per dry gram of alga."
Though it's not entirely clear how toxic these substances are nor how much one would expect to be released into the tank.
I currently have a large amount of Feather Caulerpa (Caulerpa Paspaloides) in my tank which came in as a hitchhiker on my Gulf Live Rock. I liked the look of it and never considered its presence could be harming any of my corals. My birds nest and stylos have seen rapid growth, though this is probably expected. Acro growth has been noticeably slower (though again - not necessarily unexpected). Very much interested to see if anyone has had negative experiences with Caulerpa (beyond the "going sexual" phenomenon).
A) did your growth noticeably increase after the removal of Caulerpa?
OR
B) did your growth noticeably slow after the addition of Caulerpa?
(and if so - with what species)
Background:
Apparently Caulerpa algae species generally (or perhaps all) contain toxins in varying amounts. I have seen it hypothesized that that the presence of this algae in a tank could inhibit the growth of Acroporas or other SPS corals.
From this article:
"Caulerpin was present in C cupressoides, C.paspaloides, C. prolifera and C. sertularioides in amounts varying from less than 1 mg to 5.47 mg per dry gram of alga. Caulerpicin was found in C. ashmeadii, C. paspaloides, C. sertularioides and C racemosa var. uvifera in lesser concentrations ranging from 0.03 to 0.09 mg per dry gram of alga."
Though it's not entirely clear how toxic these substances are nor how much one would expect to be released into the tank.
I currently have a large amount of Feather Caulerpa (Caulerpa Paspaloides) in my tank which came in as a hitchhiker on my Gulf Live Rock. I liked the look of it and never considered its presence could be harming any of my corals. My birds nest and stylos have seen rapid growth, though this is probably expected. Acro growth has been noticeably slower (though again - not necessarily unexpected). Very much interested to see if anyone has had negative experiences with Caulerpa (beyond the "going sexual" phenomenon).
