[emjay34472]

I think I have identified these fine haired tufs in my tank as Green Maiden Hair (turtle grass). When I described it to my LFS, the recommended fish I bought (whcich I luv the fish), a pygmy angel and an algae blenny, won't eat it. The more I read about this type of grass, is that it repels herbivore fish. What will eat it? Don't get me wrong, I like the grass, but it's getting to spread too much.

[Samper]

Is there any way you could post up a picture of it?

[Ninong]

Turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum) is a sea grass common off the coast of Florida. The blades are about 1/2" wide and can be as much as 14" long. Is that what you think you have in your tank?



Obviously, as the name implies, turtle grass is a plant, not an alga. Why would the LFS people think that an algae blennie or a pygmy angelfish would eat turtle grass??? Especially an LFS in Florida???

P.S. --

[zhenya]

Maiden;s hair and turtle grass is a common name that people give Chlorodesmis sp., is that what you have?
Maiden's Hair (Chlorodesmis sp.)

I think I had this when I first set up my tank, I only had it on a few pieces of rock so I just removed those and discarded them. None of my fish ever ate it or even sample it.

[Ninong]

Originally Posted by zhenya

Maiden;s hair and turtle grass is a common name that people give Chlorodesmis sp., is that what you have?

I guess that's a new one to me. When I think of maidenhair, I think of this and when I think of turtle grass, I think of sea grass in the genus Thalassia.

I wonder whose bright idea it was to name this nuisance alga the same common name as a very well known sea grass?

P.S. -- The reason turtle grass -- the real turtle grass -- is called that is because it is the favorite food of the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas). I wonder which turtle species eats Chlorodesmis?

[zhenya]

I guess that's a new one to me. When I think of maidenhair, I think of this and when I think of turtle grass, I think of sea grass in the genus Thalassia.

George,

So do I. I actually have Thalassia sp. sea grass growing in my 75g tank. I recieved it 5-7 plugs from Bill Chambarlain( billsreef) and out of those I had one that took. Right now I had to dig up the shoot and prune it back so that it wouldn't take over the front of the tank.

You can see it in the right corner of this image.


FWIW, you can find on occasion maiden;s hair plant in the LFS and unsuspecting buyers love the green coloration of that plant. It can crash easily but it can also proliferate...