Valonia utricularis

(Roth) C.Agardh 1823

Bubble Algae

Range: Western Atlantic, Caribbean, Africa, Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Natural Environment: Grows in most nutrient-rich reef environments, attached to rocky substrates and areas of dead coral.

General Husbandry: Seem to attach themselves in rock crevices or depressions where nutrients tend to collect. They grow well under various lighting intensities and even do exceptionally well in aquariums with very low bulk water nutrients.

Unfortunately when their membrane-like wall material wears out or ruptures, internally forming new cells/bubbles are released and can rapidly spread throughout the system. It’s always more wise to remove the object they are growing on and scrape it off outside the aquarium if at all possible. Otherwise, with great care while in the aquarium, try to remove without breaking them! And for more info, recommend reading my book ‘The Living Marine Aquarium Manuel’ (Chapter 12) also posted on this website.

Potential Control Species: Fish: Acanthurus japonicus, Acanthurus nigrofuscus, Acanthurus olivaceus, Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis, Ctenochaetus striatus, Naso brevirostris, Naso lituratus, Zebrasoma desjardinii, Zebrasoma flavescens, Zebrasoma scopas, Zebrasoma veliferum, Zebrasoma xanthurum, Siganus corallinus, Siganus guttatus, Siganus magnifica and Siganus vulpinus

Crabs: Percnon gibbesi, Mithrax sculptus

Urchins: Diadema setosum

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Chlorophyta

Class: Ulvophyceae

Order: Siphonocladales

Family: Valoniaceae

Genus: Valonia