Will a sea hare eat this stuff?

[justinkdenny]

So far, my urchin won't touch it. Lawnmower blenny nipped at it a few times but didn't like it. I've had snails and hermits. This is the worst type of algae I have ever dealt with. Sea hare? Any other suggestions?

 

[SlugSnorter]

maybe, but can you feed it after? tank size and age? there may be an easier animal that can eat it

 

[Eagle_Steve]

So far, my urchin won't touch it. Lawnmower blenny nipped at it a few times but didn't like it. I've had snails and hermits. This is the worst type of algae I have ever dealt with. Sea hare? Any other suggestions?

Amost looks like a type of Red Dictyota algae.

Can you get a pic of it in the water, so I can see the structure of it more clearly.

 

[justinkdenny]

maybe, but can you feed it after? tank size and age? there may be an easier animal that can eat it

10 gallon IM Nuvo. about 3 years old. I would probably have to rehome him once the food was gone if he would eat it.

 

[justinkdenny]

Amost looks like a type of Red Dictyota algae.

Can you get a pic of it in the water, so I can see the structure of it more clearly.

From the research I have did, that's my best guess. I will try to get a better pic or video when I get home from work. Have you ever dealt with this before?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

From the research I have did, that's my best guess. I will try to get a better pic or video when I get home from work. Have you ever dealt with this before?

Offer it for sale!! Lol!

 

[Eagle_Steve]

From the research I have did, that's my best guess. I will try to get a better pic or video when I get home from work. Have you ever dealt with this before?

I purposely grow it in my mangrove/macro lagoon. It sits alongside numerous other fast growing macros, so is not really an issue for me. Here is a list of what will eat it, provided it is Dictyota sp.

Mexican Turbo Snails
Blue Spotted Sea Hare (other sea hares may eat it, but I have 2 and they love to much on it and other macros)
Emerald Crabs
Eibli Angel
Atlantic Blue Tang
Ocean Surgeonfish

These are all confirmed in my tank to eat it. I have all of them and all eat it. Luckily, they eat other macros, so it can still grow out.

Due to your tank size, I would go sea hare and return it when it eats it all (it may come back, so you will still need something to mow it down). I would also add a mexican turbo. Once it is down to nothing, the single mexican turbo, should keep it in check if not finish it off.

If a sea hare cannot be had or you do not want to deal with returning it, then manual removal is best. You will still need a mexican turbo. Outside of mexican turbos being sort of bulldozers, they are a great addition to a clean up crew.

For manaul removal, you will need to remove the algae and its holdfast. Best way to remove the holdfast is to use a small dental pick set. (5 bucks on amazon). This will allow you to get the "roots".

 

[justinkdenny]

Offer it for sale!! Lol!

It's not exactly like that. It grows in spongy clumps, mats. I wouldn't wish this stuff on anyone. LFS sold me some chaeto and said the small bits of red in it were dragons breath. LOL nope

 

[justinkdenny]

I purposely grow it in my mangrove/macro lagoon. It sits alongside numerous other fast growing macros, so is not really an issue for me. Here is a list of what will eat it, provided it is Dictyota sp.

Mexican Turbo Snails
Blue Spotted Sea Hare (other sea hares may eat it, but I have 2 and they love to much on it and other macros)
Emerald Crabs
Eibli Angel
Atlantic Blue Tang
Ocean Surgeonfish

These are all confirmed in my tank to eat it. I have all of them and all eat it. Luckily, they eat other macros, so it can still grow out.

Due to your tank size, I would go sea hare and return it when it eats it all (it may come back, so you will still need something to mow it down). I would also add a mexican turbo. Once it is down to nothing, the single mexican turbo, should keep it in check if not finish it off.

If a sea hare cannot be had or you do not want to deal with returning it, then manual removal is best. You will still need a mexican turbo. Outside of mexican turbos being sort of bulldozers, they are a great addition to a clean up crew.

For manaul removal, you will need to remove the algae and its holdfast. Best way to remove the holdfast is to use a small dental pick set. (5 bucks on amazon). This will allow you to get the "roots".

Thanks! my LFS has a blue spotted sea hare that they got in yesterday so if they haven't sold it yet I might try it.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

It's not exactly like that. It grows in spongy clumps, mats. I wouldn't wish this stuff on anyone. LFS sold me some chaeto and said the small bits of red in it were dragons breath. LOL nope

Get some pics in the water with more white than blue light and I should be able to ID for ya. As well as tell you what will eat it, or how to deal with it.

 

[justinkdenny]

Get some pics in the water with more white than blue light and I should be able to ID for ya. As well as tell you what will eat it, or how to deal with it.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Sea Hares are voracious eaters. If that stuff is attached to rocks you may have a chance, but if cuts loose and becomes free-floating, then no.