Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
The species described below fall into broad ranging categories, and all are better not being in our aquariums!
Those in the Asparagopsis genus are problematic species in aquaria and must be eradicated as soon as seen, or it will quickly spread and engulf all substrate areas in the aquarium.
Those such as Centroceras clavulatum alga is another common species found in intertidal and shallow subtidal zones of tropical reefs. The segmented branches have characteristic pincer-like tips. Rarely does it do well for any appreciable length of time in aquariums, however, its best to remove it before it enters the aquarium.
As for those in the genus Gelidium, usually a reddish or purplish turf alga, they often arrive on live rock taken from shallow intertidal areas where there is wave action. Its somewhat short 2 inches (5 cm) thin fronds are firmly attached to the substrate. It's a wiry type turf algae that needs extremely bright light, very good water movement, and a nutrient rich environment or it will slowly dissipate. In most cases its best to remove this nuisance species before the substrate or rock enters the aquarium, as it may spread and crowd out other desired growths in the aquarium.
As for some of the more difficult red turf algae, Nitophyllum punctatum is a somewhat flat Y-shaped branched alga that often arrives on live rock and looks quite similar to brown Dictyota. But it ends there as this species is delicate and is readily eaten by cool water herbivorous fishes. In fact, it's so delicate and sensitive to small changes in water quality that an excellent growth can disintegrate in one day in cool water aquariums.
Another filamentous cool water species is Polysiphonia elongata, often called Red Hair Algae. It has long strands and can easily interfere with corals by encroaching on their space. Must be eradicated as soon as seen, or it will quickly spread and become extremely problematic, and difficult to eradicate.
Wrangelia argus is another purple-red short soft alga forming fuzzy clumps on substrate. It can arrive on live rock that was subjected to very high nutrient areas in shallow turbulent areas. It can spread to other rock and/or sandy surfaces in the aquarium. Rock with any signs of this pest need to first be scrubbed clean before entering the aquarium. If it develops in the aquarium, it should be siphoned out and water quality improved.
