Is this a desirable algae?

[Acros]

I have a post to ID this on the nuisance algae forum. Wondering if any of you have experience with this type of algae. Not sure on the ID.

I am in the process of killing it with fluc in QT (extremely resilient tho).

 

[jDoSe]

Looks pretty, but if it isn’t easy to remove or eradicate if need be, it is not desirable.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

"Desirable" is in the eye of the beholder. Since you're killing it with flucanozole, I assume it's not desirable to you.

If you have a refugium, since it seems to grow well for you, you could try placing some there for nutrient export.

As for ID, I don't have any suggestions, sorry.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Out of curiosity, why are you keeping it in the tank rather than pulling it out? As with any algae, manual removal is your best tool. Whether using cuc or chemicals, the less there is for them to eat/kill, the better...

 

[Acros]

Out of curiosity, why are you keeping it in the tank rather than pulling it out? As with any algae, manual removal is your best tool. Whether using cuc or chemicals, the less there is for them to eat/kill, the better...

The pictures are from a quarantine tank. it is way too much to trim (tried it, but algae bounced back in a few weeks). If I do not see a noticeable difference by the end of the week, I will trim as much as I can.

My tuxedo urchin will eat it occasionally, but not enough to get it under control. Hence trying to kill it by using fluconazole in quarantine tank.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

This might help...

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We specialize in saltwater Macroalgae and Seagrass | GCE has the largest selection of Macroalgae online, offering over 35 different species

www.live-plants.com

 

[EricR]

Did you ever get an ID on this?

It looks cool,,, if you could contain it to that one rock,,, which "feels" unlikely but who knows?

Refugium idea posted earlier is an interesting one... until you discover it's some ultra rare, airborne spore releasing menace that's unstoppable ... just kidding

 

[Acros]

I do not have an ID yet.

It was contained on that one rock, even after my urchin eating it, resulting in strands of this algae floating around in the tank.

Unfortunately, I run an AIO tank and hence can't do a refugium at the moment.

If anyone wants to pay shipping, I can try nursing it back to health and ship it to them.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Just saw your other thread. Day 4 of flucanozole is still the beginning of the race. When possible, treat the tank for 6-8 weeks (without a water change... or if a WC is absolutely necessary, replace the percentage of flucanozole you removed).

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I do not have an ID yet.

It was contained on that one rock, even after my urchin eating it, resulting in strands of this algae floating around in the tank.

Unfortunately, I run an AIO tank and hence can't do a refugium at the moment.

If anyone wants to pay shipping, I can try nursing it back to health and ship it to them.

So... Is this just an experiment at this point? Do you have an attachment to that particular rock? I'm confused; if the algae is only on the rock in the qt, why bother treating it? Just toss it, IMO, lol.

 

[WheatToast]

Fuzzy Caulerpa (Caulerpa verticillata). This is a very rare pest algae that rapidly attaches to hard surfaces, including walls, and provides cover for pods. It reminds me of Cabomba .
https://www.reefcleaners.org/store/fuzzy-caulerpa-detail

 

[Acros]

So... Is this just an experiment at this point? Do you have an attachment to that particular rock? I'm confused; if the algae is only on the rock in the qt, why bother treating it? Just toss it, IMO, lol.

There are about 50-100 zoa heads buried under all the algae. Hence trying to get rid of the algae and saving the coral.

 

[EricR]

OP said no refugium but, just out of curiosity:
Is this a good candidate for a fuge or is it likely to somehow spread to DT ? (... go sexual / release spores / whatever)

 

[Acros]

Fuzzy Caulerpa (Caulerpa verticillata). This is a very rare pest algae that rapidly attaches to hard surfaces, including walls, and provides cover for pods. It reminds me of Cabomba .
https://www.reefcleaners.org/store/fuzzy-caulerpa-detail

Awesome, thank you! That makes sense, it’s full of pods even after I moved it to my sterile QT system.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

There are about 50-100 zoa heads buried under all the algae. Hence trying to get rid of the algae and saving the coral.

Good luck!

 

[Acros]

I knocked down this algae with manual removal and fluconazole. It is back now and I just started another fluconazole doze.

I had a tiny bit of it remaining after the last dose on Sept 22. I shouldn’t have ignored it then.

Note: Blue tuxedo urchin will eat it; just not fast enough.

 

[Diastro]

... If it lives im interested in it.

 

[Acros]

... If it lives im interested in it.

I hope it doesn’t. lol.

I will message you in case it survives.

 

[Acros]

The algae is back again. PM me if anyone wants me to ship it (before I dose fluconazole this coming Sunday). I will ship it if you can purchase a USPS priority shipping label.