Red algae and bubble

[Chasman]

I have what looks like some kind of red macro algae and some bubble algae as well. It's all quite small. Just wondering if this should be left alone ar taken out.

Tank is 10 weeks old and doing quite well.

I'll give a full updaye when the new camera arrives.

Chas

[Bloodydecks]

looks what i call Red string macro lage...not usre of the scientific name or trade name. Fuachea species. Spelling? The other is bubble alage.

Your tank is stil what consider new or developing. These type of alges are sometimes common in "new" tanks. but You should check your nitrate levels. the bubble algae can become a real pain in the arse. It can also spread faster if the bubble are popped.

When i get them in my tanks i siphon the bubbles out. If they are really stuck, I will remove the rock and peck the bubbles off, doing my best not to pop them, If I pop them, I will rinse them in a bucket of tank water (discarding the water). I only remove them when I feel they are spreading. A few hear and there does not bother me.

The red string algae will most likely go away as your tank stabilizes and matures (unless the nutrients go up). If you have any tangs, they will also eat it. If you have a refugium, toss in there.

But definitely check your nitrates and phosphates.

[lori]

correct me if im wrong but the red algae looks like Red Gracillaria and thats good.very much agree on the bubble algae,be careful at removing it.if nitrates and phosphates along with everything else is fine,...may be add a green emerald crab.but your tank may still be to new.

[Chasman]

Currently the nitrate level is undetectable by the IO test or the Salifert test kits. So .... Should I rid my self of these or not? Not sure of your stance on this.

Would never put a crab in my tank.

[Bloodydecks]

lori you may be correct on the algae...and yes it is not a nuisance algae. Good call on the emerald crab. They will take care of it.

[Bloodydecks]

Chasman,

An emerald crab is a good suggestions. I have not had issues with them. They can knock rocks over, and corals..but one crab sounds like it would be enough to control the few bubbles you have, with out causing to any problems.

[Ninong]

My eyesight isn't good enough to attempt an identification of the red alga. If it's Gracilaria, then it's certainly not undesirable in any way. It's very desirable food for tangs, rabbitfishes and other herbivores.

The green bubble alga is Ventricaria ventricosa, formerly called Valonia ventricosa. This is a nuisance alga that should be removed, carefully. Gently twist the thallus (the bubble) with your fingers to loosen the holdfasts from the rock and remove from the aquarium. Try to do this without breaking the bubble. Mature bubbles (meaning larger ones) contain spores that will spread through the tank resulting in more bubble algae.

Are Emerald Crabs reef-aquarium safe?

In their natural environment, I believe emerald crabs are omnivorous as juveniles but become primarily carnivorous as adults: "The emerald crab, Mithrax sculptus occurs among the branches of the coral Porites furcata and feeds on the polyps at night. It has also been observed to feed on organisms attached to seagrasses (Colin, 1978)." [ It has since been renamed Mithraculus sculptus.]

As with any of the marine animals that we keep in our tanks, their natural behavior, including feeding habits, may change to adapt to the conditions they find themselves in.

This question comes up so often that seven years ago I compiled a list of anecdotal reports about problems with emerald crabs in this post. Seven years ago the membership on Reef Central was only a fraction what it is today. I have read many, many more reports of reefkeepers reporting problems with emerald crabs in their systems.

I think it is correct to say that some reefkeepers have found emerald crabs to be "fairly reef safe," but it is probably a stretch to say that they are "fairly reef safe" under most conditions. In their natural habitat, they tend to be primarily herbivorous as juveniles but their diet changes to primarily protein based as they mature. They are omnivorous but they change from mostly herbivorous omnivores when young to mostly carnivorous omnivores as adults, according to various scientific papers that I have read.

Emerald crabs (Mithraculus sculptus) are sort of in the same category as the notorious Atlantic green brittle star (Ophiarachna incrassata): every time someone posts something bad about them, someone else will post that their experience was trouble-free. I suggest you read the reports summarized here and be guided accordingly. I could add at least 100 more similiar reports if I did a current search on all the boards. That was just a quick search on one board several years ago.

[Steve McKay]

"Would never put a crab in my tank."

Good call,The only crabs I have are scarlet hermits.They are the only hermits I know of that are supposed to leave your snails alone.I bought 5 as a test to see what will happen.The jury is still out and the executioner is at hand.

[Chasman]

Thanks everybody

I will work on getting the bubble algae out. I only have those two. Now I'm worried about breaking one but I'll give it a try.

Chas

[Bloodydecks]

nining,

Thanks for that..good fish dope. Or should I say good crab dope. Appreciate the info. Like I stated, I have not had issues with them...but reading your info, I will be less likely to introduce them to a reef aquarium. Thanks

happy new year

[Chasman]

I found a third and wouldn't you know it, I think I might have poped it. Damn!!! Not sure though, it wad still pretty firm when I took it out. That "only time will tell" thing.

Chas

[Ninong]

If you actually did pop it, it would feel like a deflated balloon. You probably didn't pop it. It's only the mature ones that contain mature, viable spores anyway. Mature ones are the size of grapes.

[Steve McKay]

Go to your local pharmacy and buy a syringe with a needle big enough to suck the contense of the bubble out,then remove it.That is your safest bet.