Conch has capes of algae

[91yjeeper]

Should I let it be, or scrape it off? How should I remove it?

 

[ichthyogeek]

You can let it be, that looks like Ulva (a good macroalgae!). It will either grow and pieces of it will detach, or it will slowly die off. If you get any algae eating fish like tangs or blennies, they'll probably munch it off too.

If you want to remove it, but to just cut it super far back, or carefully (don't hurt the conch!) scrub it off with something like a toothbrush. Best not to use a razor blade...

 

[samnaz]

Ulva, I'd let it be, how cool!

 

[najer]

As above, very cool.

 

[91yjeeper]

You can let it be, that looks like Ulva (a good macroalgae!). It will either grow and pieces of it will detach, or it will slowly die off. If you get any algae eating fish like tangs or blennies, they'll probably munch it off too.

If you want to remove it, but to just cut it super far back, or carefully (don't hurt the conch!) scrub it off with something like a toothbrush. Best not to use a razor blade...

Thanks! I had more of this growing in my tank and scraped it out. Wish I had left it now that I know it was good macro algae. lol.

 

[HuduVudu]

... or carefully (don't hurt the conch!) scrub it off ...

Be careful dealing with your conch. Conches have a spike/scythe near their foot and if you handle them you may get a nasty surprise.

 

[91yjeeper]

Be careful dealing with your conch. Conches have a spike/scythe near their foot and if you handle them you may get a nasty surprise.

Exactly! I've noticed that spikey foot and don't want to get jabbed.

 

[ScubaFish802]

"The Conch we needed but not the one we deserved"

 

[91yjeeper]

Fighting Conch that fights crime.

 

[jgirardnrg]

My Trochus snails grow algae on their backs too. The hermits hitch a ride and snack on it from time to time. Like this morning... watching the tank from my desk and a Trochus is going horizontally across the glass with a hermit standing on top of it. Next time I'll get a video, it's pretty funny to watch.