REd Encrusting Algae ID

[Jimbo]

I’ve had this algae for years in my SPS dominant tank. It’s often mistaken for Cyano when I post coral pics. It’s an encrusting algae , velevety to the touch but definitely not cyano. It poses no issues that I know of. I think my Tuxedo Urchins pick at it but not enough to eradicate it. Asked for an ID on the forum years ago but never got one. Thought I’d try again . Here’s a pic, it only grows on the rocks.

 

[mocha 75]

Try listing in the macro group, too. I’m curious because I’d love to grow some

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

It's beautiful, whatever it is.

 

[mmorrison55]

Looks like cyano to me, but you say it’s not, so it may be something else, idk.

If it is cyano, it should siphon out easily. That’s the best way to deal with it, siphon every few days. After siphoning, add some coral snow mixed with a beneficial bacteria to replace and out compete the cyano. You should be able to clear it up in in 3-4 weeks

 

[Aquadude1]

Does not look like cyano to me but like mentioned above you can test by seeing if it easily comes off. I have similar stuff that came in on TSA frags. I like it and it does not seem to bother anything. Also interested in what's it called.

 

[commod0re]

I think it's red turf algae

 

[exnisstech]

I have something similar in my SPS tank. I always assumed it was a type of coraline but I really don't known for sure. It hasn't caused any problems and coral encrust over it so I haven't worried about it. Its definitely not cyano.
It's very smooth to the touch and does not blow off.

 

[mmorrison55]

Hope it’s not red turf algae.i had some of that in my second tank and while it was pretty , it was hairy and invasive and I could never get rid of it.

If it’s hard and won’t brush off or siphon, It’s possible it could be coralline. It can come in red as well as the more common purple.

 

[BigDangler]

Think I might have the same stuff.. Can you blow it off with a turkey baster? I can and it just blows around til it gets sucked up or I add some coral snow but it always comes back.. My tanks only about 6 months old so don't know if its still going through phases

 

[mmorrison55]

If you can blow it off easily, it’s most likely cyano.

 

[BigDangler]

If you can blow it off easily, it’s most likely cyano.

That's what I figured...

 

[commod0re]

I have something similar in my SPS tank. I always assumed it was a type of coraline but I really don't known for sure. It hasn't caused any problems and coral encrust over it so I haven't worried about it. Its definitely not cyano.
It's very smooth to the touch and does not blow off.

this one I think is different from OPs because they said theirs feels velvety where you say yours feels smooth

I think what you have here might be red foraminifera (Homotrema rubrum)

 

[exnisstech]

this one I think is different from OPs because they said theirs feels velvety where you say yours feels smooth

I think what you have here might be red foraminifera (Homotrema rubrum)

You may be right. Looking at images online which may or may not be accurate the Homotrema rubrum looks like it has pores. Mine is perfectly smooth and almost feels slippery on the surface.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

red foraminifera (Homotrema rubrum)

Does this have a downside?

 

[commod0re]

red foraminifera (Homotrema rubrum)

Does this have a downside?

Not that I know of

 

[Danroo]

I’ve had this algae as well. It flakes when you break it. I’ve it on the back wall and the rocks are covered with it which is impossible to remove. I’m also dealing with bubble algae so I’m aggressively scraping the algae from the rock and this algae would not come off.

 

[commod0re]

this one I think is different from OPs because they said theirs feels velvety where you say yours feels smooth

I think what you have here might be red foraminifera (Homotrema rubrum)

You may be right. Looking at images online which may or may not be accurate the Homotrema rubrum looks like it has pores. Mine is perfectly smooth and almost feels slippery on the surface.

My understanding, which may not be complete, is they are micropores so you would need magnification in order to see them. A decent macro shot should be able to confirm it or tell us if we should keep looking for other matches

If it is H.rubrum then my additional fun fact is that this is the stuff that makes fiji sand pink

 

[Jimbo]

I have something similar in my SPS tank. I always assumed it was a type of coraline but I really don't known for sure. It hasn't caused any problems and coral encrust over it so I haven't worried about it. Its definitely not cyano.
It's very smooth to the touch and does not blow off.

Yeah, that’s the same stuff I have. I described mine as velvety but it’s smooth, used the wrong word.
Causes no issue was just hoping to get an ID on it. Those saying Cyano I know it’s not Cyano for sure……..I even said that in my `original post.

I’ve had it for years. Somebody had mentioned to me once it thrives in low nitrate tanks. Where are your nitrates at?

 

[exnisstech]

Yeah, that’s the same stuff I have. I described mine as velvety but it’s smooth, used the wrong word.
Causes no issue was just hoping to get an ID on it. Those saying Cyano I know it’s not Cyano for sure……..I even said that in my `original post.

I’ve had it for years. Somebody had mentioned to me once it thrives in low nitrate tanks. Where are your nitrates at?

Mine are low. NO3 was 3 ppm last test. I used to have to dose N and P to keep them detectible.
Its been in my tank for over 2 years.

 

[TokenReefer]

I have patches of this too and assumed it was just a dark red variety of coralline - https://www.marinelifephotography.com/marine/seaweeds/peyssonnelia.htm