Deep Red growth of frag plugs

[ReefHunter006]

I didn’t feel this would fall in the hitchhiker category, because I am 99% sure it isn’t cyano, and it doesn’t seem to be a pest.

It is a much deeper red than coraline that I am use to. It also looks calcium based in person. I’ll try to get a better picture with my macro lens tonight.

Why I believe it is not cyano?
1. Doesn’t disappear at night
2. Can’t be rubbed off with your fingers
3. I’ve been in the hobby for years and have experience with cyano.
4. It’s slow growing and has been on various plugs for months.

Most likely answer it that it is just a deep red coraline that I haven’t seen before. wanted to throw it out there to see if others have seen something similiar.

 

[Jekyl]

Does it come off easily?

 

[ReefHunter006]

Does it come off easily?

No.

 

[ARGYGANG]

No.

I’ve seen this at my local reef shop and they say it’s coraline

 

[Rick's Reviews]

Yes I would not worry, in my honest opinion.i have seen it grow on my rocks and it's kinda fluorescent red/deep purple, I have no coraline in my aquriam so I assume it's just a harmless algae, I also seen it on my frags but it does not grow into anything... It's just there

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

While cyano does not disappear at night, I do believe this is coralline algae.

 

[FreshSaltH2o]

I have this type of coralline growing on my rocks and plugs also very deep purple.