Flowering Algae

Ryan115 · Jan 17, 2018

I noticed this on one of my snails today. Not sure what it is. A few rocks in the tank have started growing a few varieties of algae, though non look like this.
One has some Caulerpa that looks more like C. racemosa var. peltata or C. nummularia than C. racemosa. Another is starting a small bunch that looks somewhat like Codium, but is still small and thin, I cant really tell.
Any thoughts. I cant think of many that would have anything resembling a flower.

Ryan115 · Jan 17, 2018

Here is another shot, before lights out.

Also, after looking at it up close, I do not think this other algae is Codium.
Not sure what this one is either.

Ryan115 · Jan 21, 2018

Anyone seen anything like this before?

saltyfilmfolks · Jan 21, 2018

I’m afraid I’m stumped.
Inwoud def scrub those out of the tank.

#reefsquad.

cloak · Jan 21, 2018

That third picture down from the top almost looks like something has deposited eggs on some of the strands of algae.

ReefQueen · Jan 21, 2018

That's a new one for me too. Definitely cool looking though. I agree that you should remove them though, better safe then sorry.

Ryan115 · Jan 21, 2018

cloak said:
That third picture down from the top almost looks like something has deposited eggs on some of the strands of algae.

I could see how it would look like that, but I can confirm that it is actually growing. I didn't even see that it looked like individual pieces until I took that picture. By eye it just looks like small spots.

ReefQueen said:
That's a new one for me too. Definitely cool looking though. I agree that you should remove them though, better safe then sorry.

I generally agree with the better safe than sorry, but I haven't been able to bring myself to remove them yet...they are too different and cool.

reefwiser · Jan 21, 2018

Not cool you want to nip this in the bud. This type of algae has a root structure an once establish is every every difficult to get out of an aquarium.

Ryan115 · Jan 21, 2018

reefwiser said:
Not cool you want to nip this in the bud. This type of algae has a root structure an once establish is every every difficult to get out of an aquarium.

Which one are you saying has a root structure? The one on the snails or the other one. Do you have an ID on either?

reefwiser · Jan 22, 2018

The problem with many Marine plants is there is not a lot of studies done on them.
There are resources like.
https://www.marineplantbook.com/marineplantbookgreenalgae.htm

http://www.ws.k12.ny.us/Downloads/Chapter_5.pdf
I

Myk · Jan 22, 2018

I have to respectfully disagree with the removal or at least the "kill it!" take.

You might have something really interesting on your hands. If you are concerned that it may be destructive maybe just pull it out and put it in a nano tank or refugium and observe it first. Could make a really nice addition after a little more research.

Richard Hercher · Feb 9, 2019

I have this, too. Scrubbed off/suctioned up before (it was mingled with my green hair a month ago...)

, then my urchin scrapped everything down. Today, it's definitely back

It's... pretty? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Might be time to take that rock out and just bleach it. I just wish I knew what it was.

Update: I did a water change the other day, and found a round, green ball floating in my water. I haven't seen any of those in the tank yet, but it got in the bucket some how...

hyprc · Feb 9, 2019

I really hope for your sake it's not the Racemosa Peltata I've got (it's not round, more serrated leafy), you'll never get rid of it with it's roots. The stuff on the rocks looks like it could be, the stuff on the snails not so much. If it's anything even close I'd pull the rock and make sure it was all gone. Best of luck!

Ken101Ward · Feb 10, 2019

I think I have the same issue. I don't know what it is. It has turned into a plague in my tank. I have tried all sorts of manual removal only to have it return. I'm at the point where drastic measures might be my only option. My only advice it to remove it and what ever it is attached to and inspect every inch of your tank daily to find any new sprouts. Best luck to you on this one.

Richard Hercher · Feb 10, 2019

Ken101Ward said:
I think I have the same issue. I don't know what it is. It has turned into a plague in my tank. I have tried all sorts of manual removal only to have it return. I'm at the point where drastic measures might be my only option. My only advice it to remove it and what ever it is attached to and inspect every inch of your tank daily to find any new sprouts. Best luck to you on this one.

Mind if I borrow this pic to shop around? I’m trying my hand at social media, bothering some marine botanists’ accounts to see if they can help identify.

Richard Hercher · Feb 10, 2019

Hey, does this look familiar? Found it at https://biogeodb.stri.si.edu/pacificalgae/

Ken101Ward said:
I think I have the same issue. I don't know what it is. It has turned into a plague in my tank. I have tried all sorts of manual removal only to have it return. I'm at the point where drastic measures might be my only option. My only advice it to remove it and what ever it is attached to and inspect every inch of your tank daily to find any new sprouts. Best luck to you on this one.

Mind if I borrow this pic to shop around? I’m trying my hand at social media, bothering some marine botanists’ accounts to see if they can help identify.

Ryan115 said:
Here is another shot, before lights out.

Also, after looking at it up close, I do not think this other algae is Codium.
Not sure what this one is either.