Algae ID

[truepercs]

Can someone please help with the ID of this Algae... Initially thought to be harmless...I am sure it is on the nuisance list. It has been a pain to keep in check. I have to remove rock and use tools to pull from rock and then treat with peroxide.

Need to find another solution, I may need to pull my main rock structure to do the same. Small pieces will attach the aragonite substrate and then grow on small pieces in the aragonite substrate. (I have been picking these out as well)

Wire type, gets a hold in small crevice grows upward in shrub type form.

Other than this the tank is doing fine...

Thanks!

 

[aquariumspecialtyDane Verified Sponsor]

It looks like it could be some type of Bryopsis. It can look different from tank to tank. Sometimes it is thin and linky and sometimes it will almost look like a fern. Maybe something is trying to eat it, but just can't keep up? Any other thoughts. If it is it can be very tough to get rid of but I have seen some tangs eat it like this Sailfin tang I have in my tank. I acquired a frag of Red Hornets and it had some Bryopsis on it and in just a few short days I saw the tang eat it.

 

[truepercs]

Nothing in my tank is eating it... Yes it is very tough to get rid of... The aquarium is only 50 gallons, so I do not have any type of tangs in the tank. I have used tweezers and even needle nose pliers to grip it and pull it out. I can deal with it on the smaller rocks but is has taken a hold on my main rock which is alarming, knowing how difficult it has been.

 

[truepercs]

Here is another photo that I posted of my flame hawk but it also shows the algae in better detail. Pre-plucked

 

[truepercs]

Well from what I read FLUNCONAZOLE appears reef safe so I am giving it a try to rid of Bryopsis . Day 1 No change yet,not sure what type of algae it is and if this will work but I am giving it a try.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

pull or pluck as much as you can imo.