Dinos ??

Aussie salt · 2026-06-27T04:39:35-0400

Hey just wondering your thoughts on this brownish slime it appeared attatched to the rock work appears to be right on the surface in a small clump and also in long strands 2-5cm and has broken away but not spreading throughout the tank,has been there for about 2 weeks. I haven't had time to test parameters.
Thanks

Dan_P · 2026-06-27T05:15:42-0400

Aussie salt said:
Hey just wondering your thoughts on this brownish slime it appeared attatched to the rock work appears to be right on the surface in a small clump and also in long strands 2-5cm and has broken away but not spreading throughout the tank,has been there for about 2 weeks. I haven't had time to test parameters.
Thanks

Strings could be diatoms or dinoflagellates. The golden patch might be a Chrysophyte

EnterName · 2026-06-27T07:21:15-0400

The trouble-causing dinoflagellates in reef tanks are benthic (which means they usually settle on surfaces instead of floating around). It's odd that this slime is floating at the surface.

If you can get your hands on a compound microscope I might be able to help with the identification.

Does it come back if you siphon it out? How long does it take to grow back?