red fungus

[poke74]

was wondering if anyone has an idea on what the red fungus/algea is from in my tank? also i``ve been trying forever to get rid of bad anenomes in the tank spot killing them with joes juice. any other methods that might work better as it seems that all it is doing is controlling . thnx for any help

[leebca]

WELCOME TO REEFLAND !

Your first post in Reefland is in the Saltwater (Fish-Only) Aquariums Forum. Regarding the anemone control/eradication, you'll probably have more luck getting help by posting that question in the Reef Aquariums Forum. There are shrimp that eat these, and some fishes that will eat them.

Regarding the red. . .There are different kinds, each a different organism. For the most part, they are red-colored bacteria (cyanobacteria) that set up a 'slime' kind of environment. Although red 'stuff' can be coralline (this is good), or true red algae, it is more likely the cyanobacteria. A photo of what you are seeing would help us better understand what it might be.

In general, they have to eat something. They need light and nutrients. Some aquarists try to approach their appearance with controlling the light, but in fact, you can't remove all light from your fish only aquarium. Although in a fish-only aquarium, reducing light is an option over say if you were keeping a reef aquarium where marine life depended upon light to live. Another approach is to starve them by denying them the nutrition they feed upon. There are a few ways to starve them.

You'll need a phosphate test kit and a nitrate test kit, since those are two of the top nutrients it lives off of. If you don't use a skimmer, you will need one since they also enjoy organics. If you do use a skimmer, make sure it is working properly and you are keeping it clean.

You need to find where these nutrients are coming from, then reduce them. In addition you want to consider setting up some competition for them. A refugium with macro algae that also consumes phosphates and nitrates will compete with the red and make it harder for the red to survive. If your tank is heavily stocked with marine fishes, then you almost have to have to a phosphate filter - remover - in the system.

If your tank is not mature (See: The Mature Aquarium) then you'll find it is very hard to control the red. After a tank settles down and a pattern of life develops (about 6 to 8 months in general) you'll be more successful at attacking the red problem. Until then, it will find nutrients in the shifting water quality.

With the test kits, you want to find any source of phosphates or nitrates that you are adding to the system. Test your source water (See: WATER - Source and NSW) for these ingredients to make sure you're not putting any in with water changes. Check also a freshly made up batch of water you will use for a water change to make sure that doesn't contain these nutrients.

Then check your tank for these nutrients and monitor them as you do things to reduce/remove these nutrients.

Fish foods are a source of these nutrients. Check food ingredients for their contents to see how much phosphate or phosphorous you are adding to the aquarium with the foods you feed. If you follow this advice, and remove uneaten foods, you should be able to get a handle on this nutrient source: Feeding Marine Fish and Fish Nutrition

If you are using a 'mud' as part of your substrate, you'll find quite often this can be a source of phosphorous/phosphate until the 'mud' gets older. Those using a mud substrate or a part of their substrate would be wise to use a phosphate filter.

Keep physically removing as much as you can.

Your clean-up crew should include a lot of snails. Although the snails will not totally eradicate the larger/older red clumps, once the red is under some moderate control, the snails will eat the 'young red stuff' and pretty much help keep it invisible. But, the kinds of snails that eat this are not common and can't be counted upon to totally control it.

Another thread to read:
Please help me get rid of this!

Good luck!

[poke74]

do you know the names of the fish / shrimp that eat the bad anenomes? thank u very much for your help

[Reefland]

Hi poke74,

Copperband Butterfly (delicate fish) and Peppermint Shrimp (hit and miss on success).