Chaeto has leaves growing??

[R_C]

When I started my refugium I added some cheato to it. At first it was not doing good and I thought it was dying. Then it started doing well. After some time then it started growing leaves and I have never seen any chaeto do this. Can anyone help me figure out what is happening?
TIA

 

[Tahoe61]

That looks like Caulerpa, mixed with Chaeto.

 

[Animagus]

+1

Caulerpa prolifera I believe.

 

[R_C]

Thanks. I was reading a bit about it and some think if it goes into the DT then it could become a nuisance. What are your opinions?

 

[Cment]

That looks like Caulerpa, mixed with Chaeto.

Bingo. And yes for some it has become a problem if it gets into the DT

 

[Tahoe61]

I have seen hobbyist with Caulerpa in the sump and not have any issues, and I have seen some hobbyist have issues with the algae making it into the DT or going sexual. Personally I would not keep it, but a lot of other hobbyist do.

 

[smh254]

My LFS had some caulerpa in there fuge and now it's running rampant through all their systems.

 

[najer]

Caulerpa can be a problem if you don't keep an eye on it, ... got loads in my sump!

 

[sidneyreefer]

It can only go sexual if you turn your lights off. The off cycle of lights is what will trigger the reproduction. Keep your fuge light on all the time and you won't have to worry about it going sexual aka getting in the dt