Algae ID

smhray · Oct 15, 2020

Just wondering what type of algae this is. Apparently it grows very fast.

AlgaeBarn · Oct 15, 2020

It looks like caulerpa prolifera ~Shaun K.

Subsea · Oct 16, 2020

Ditto AlgaeBarn.

Keep it pruned regularly.

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There are many advantages to including at least some species of Caulerpa in the marine aquarium. They are not only natural, aesthetically pleasing additions to the aquarium and or the refugium, but they can provide a food source for fish and invertebrates, as well as effectively remove nutrients. Another benefit is their ability to stabilize ph levels through photosynthesis. There is also evidence that the addition of Caulerpa, as well as other varieties of macro algae, can aid in the reversal of many diseases often present in captive marine aquarium fish, such as fin rot and lateral line syndrome. Caulerpa remove the primary nutrients nitrate and phosphate, and in doing so decrease unwanted nuisance algae of the inorganic nutrients they need, keeping the growth of pest algae to a minimum. As the algae increases in size, the aquarist simply trims and removes any excess growth, permanently removing the sequestered nutrients from the aquarium’s system. Just like terrestrial plants, Caulerpa benefit from frequent pruning as the practice aids in removal of old tissue and encourages new growth. Hobbyists placing Caulerpa in a refugium or sump often illuminate the display tank opposite of the other which helps keep the ph stable during the algae's respiration or rest period.

DISADVANTAGES

Although species of Caulerpa can be beneficial, they have several disadvantages. Caulerpa is a very fast grower that can quickly outgrow its environment and become a nuisance in any aquarium. In the reef aquarium, Caulerpa can effect corals by covering them and blocking available light. Some species, such as C. Prolifera are believed to release a chemical that can even stunt coral growth. This is also true in their natural environment. When the amount of nutrients on a coral reef get out of balance due to fertilizer runoff and other pollutants, some opportunistic species of Caulerpa such as C. Taxifolia, fueled by excess nutrients, can quickly take over the ecosystem smothering both native algae and corals. Another drawback is their resilient ability to spread by both sexual and asexual reproduction. Vegetative or asexual reproduction is when the algae forms a new cell from a fragment or spreads via the rhizome. This can be controlled in most aquariums by keeping the colony small and containing it to one particular area. When conditions are favorable Caulerpa will reproduce sexually, releasing gametes and tissue into the aquarium water. This phenomena is known as sporualtion and is caused by many environmental conditions such as a lack of nutrients, temperature, salinity, ph, etc. These sexual events can be detrimental to both corals and fish, sometimes releasing large amounts of nutrients and organic material back into the aquarium water. In the ocean, the effects are not harmful as the nutrients and tissue are quickly removed, however in a closed environment such an event can upset the natural balance in an aquarium if the pollutants can't be quickly absorbed by the filtration system. In larger, more stable reef aquariums dead tissue and excess nutrients are normally cleaned by both the tank inhabitants (live rock, sponges, microalgae) and or the chemical filtration system (protein skimmer, filter pads, media, ect)

To avoid the conditions that trigger sporualtion in the aquarium there are a few safeguards. Regular pruning of tissue is required and will help discourage Caulerpa to reproduce sexually. In addition to pruning, limiting the size of each cell is important so that biomass does not exceed the nutrient levels. If growing in a sump or refugium some hobbyists employ a continuously illuminated environment so that the Caulerpa can never enter into the phase of respiration or rest. Although this method does work to prevent sporulation, it also effects the growth as respiration is a needed process of photosynthesis. A newer method is to simply increase the photoperiod to allow 4-6 hours of rest, followed by continuous illumination.

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