Another new alge

[Chasman]

Is this a good or bad algae. I'm thinking bad.

[Ninong]

Do you mean the bright green stuff in the middle that looks like tiny grapes? If so, that's probably Caulerpa racemosa. Like all Caulerpa species it's invasive and will be difficult to remove from your live rock once it spreads. I would recommend removing it from the display tank.

Some people keep this and other species of Caulerpa in refugia where they can keep an eye on it and harvest it every month or so as a form of nutrient export.

None of the Caulerpa species are good candidates for a reef aquarium because they tend to sort of take over. They're not good food for herbivores because most fish will not touch them because of the caulerpin they contain specifically to make themselves undesirable to herbivores.

[Chasman]

Ninong

That's what I thought it was. How did I get this stuff out. I have a nice crop of Cheato in my fuge that's growing quite well. Any relationship? I just got rid of the bubble algea and now this arrives.

The picture is quite close and the sample is small. Should I just reach in there and take it out? Or am I in for big trouble?

It's a shame as my tank is doing so well otherwise.

Thanks
Chasman

[Ninong]

That's what I thought it was. How did I get this stuff out.

You remove it manually. Try to remove the holdfasts, too.

I have a nice crop of Cheato in my fuge that's growing quite well. Any relationship?

Relationship? Well, let's see: they're both in the same phylum, Chlorophyta. That's where the similarity ends. They're in a different class, different order and different family.

I just got rid of the bubble algea and now this arrives.

Bubble algae (Ventricaria ventricosa) is a much more serious problem in a reef aquarium than Caulerpa. It's a lot easier to remove the Caulerpa and somebody may even want it. Nobody in their right mind wants bubble algae.

Should I just reach in there and take it out? Or am I in for big trouble?

Yes, you should just try to remove it any way you can but try to get all of it. Caulerpa can regenerate if there are any small pieces of tissue left behind.

[Chasman]

It's odd. You usually go out and pay for that stuff and pray it will grow in your fuge and not go sexual with 24/7 lighting and all. And here it is in my tank with no formal invitation! Sound familiar?

[Ninong]

Some people do like Caulerpa racemosa in their refugium because they think it looks nice. If any of it shows up in their reef aquarium, they simply remove it.

This is one of the species of Caulerpa that is illegal to possess in California because it is invasive and has the potential for surviving in the waters off Southern California. The penalty for violation of that state law in California is up to a $10,000 fine and/or several months in jail. As far as I know, the fine has only been imposed a few times and only against two or three vendors in Southern California who refused to get the message even after previous warnings.

[Chasman]

Thanks Ninong.!! You are always the sound of reason. I did my best to get all of it our of there.

Thanks to you for the most part, I catch these things before they get out of hand. With any luck I have nip'ed this one too. We'll see.

I just want to get on with the good stuff. I've been very patient.

Thanks
Chasman