Eggs?

[Coolrthnme]

Does anyone know what these might be? Just saw them this morning.

 

[19Mateo83]

Looks like bubble algae

 

[Coolrthnme]

Well heck. Do I get rid of it or will my CUC do the work for me?

 

[Fish Fan]

Hi! I'm sorry no one replied to your last question! I'll bump this so you get some replies from the real experts, but I agree that this looks like bubble algae from your pic. At least one Clean Up Crew member that takes down bubble algae is the humble Mythrax crab. Often sold as a Ruby Red Mythrax or an Emerald Green crab, they are basically the same crab and come from the genus Mithraculus. Can potentially be 'nippy' with some corals; keep them well fed. Some reefers love them, some hate them, but they do consume bubble algae.

If you need a source of clean up crew critters, I'd suggest Reef Cleaners. They seem to have a wide variety, good prices, and they will ship *most*, but not all, critters by USPS 2-3 day priority shipping, which is a lot cheaper than most other places. They have a minimum order of $50, and free USPS priority shipping at $75, I believe, so not a bad source, in my opinion.

https://www.reefcleaners.org/

You can try to physically "pick" those bubbles off your rocks; I would, lol!. But I think there is a chance of damaging them and spreading them even more, but, as always, I am not an expert.

Good luck!

 

[tbrown]

If it's a small amount as pictured, pluck it out and toss it. While some CUC like Mithrax and Foxface can and will eat it, getting it out before it spreads is a better choice.

 

[Fish Fan]

If it's a small amount as pictured, pluck it out and toss it. While some CUC like Mithrax and Foxface can and will eat it, getting it out before it spreads is a better choice.

I thought (and have done) this - pluck it and toss it. But isn't there a chance that this damages the bubble algae, and in the long run spreads it, like with aptasia? I'd appreciate your help so we can all understand this. Thank you!

 

[tbrown]

I thought (and have done) this - pluck it and toss it. But isn't there a chance that this damages the bubble algae, and in the long run spreads it, like with aptasia? I'd appreciate your help so we can all understand this. Thank you!

There's several "camps" on this. All I know is, if you can dislodge it and throw it away, it won't do anything. Some people say that it you pop a bubble it releases spores and spreads, other people say that's nonsense. Keep in mind, Foxface, Tangs, and Crabs will tear it to pieces which would, in turn, release any spores. So whether it releases spores or not by popping it, or if it spreads by pieces being left and regrowth happens, removing it whole is going to be more effective than letting an animal tear it to pieces before eating it.

I've been able to pop clumps off the rocks without damaging the bubbles plenty of times. Sometimes it does leave behind pieces if it pops a bubble or two.

 

[Fish Fan]

There's several "camps" on this. All I know is, if you can dislodge it and throw it away, it won't do anything. Some people say that it you pop a bubble it releases spores and spreads, other people say that's nonsense. Keep in mind, Foxface, Tangs, and Crabs will tear it to pieces which would, in turn, release any spores. So whether it releases spores or not by popping it, or if it spreads by pieces being left and regrowth happens, removing it whole is going to be more effective than letting an animal tear it to pieces before eating it.

I've been able to pop clumps off the rocks without damaging the bubbles plenty of times. Sometimes it does leave behind pieces if it pops a bubble or two.

Great reply, thank you! I too have been able to "pluck" it, but I have never been sure that that's the right thing. The way you describe crabs and other critters picking it apart also makes a lot of sense. Thank you very much for you reply and experience here

 

[tbrown]

Great reply, thank you! I too have been able to "pluck" it, but I have never been sure that that's the right thing. The way you describe crabs and other critters picking it apart also makes a lot of sense. Thank you very much for you reply and experience here

That's what we're all here for - to share our experiences with each other. It's always good to ask the questions though, like you did. Sometimes misinformation gets spread so we have to be careful.

 

[Coolrthnme]

Thank you both so much! I did end up just kinda pulling them off gently. They seemed to be brand new and came off really easily. I had to travel to Ohio the day after I did it so I haven’t been able to see if I damaged my little coral (I tried to be as gentle/thorough as I could) but hopefully all will be well when I get back home.

 

[tbrown]

Thank you both so much! I did end up just kinda pulling them off gently. They seemed to be brand new and came off really easily. I had to travel to Ohio the day after I did it so I haven’t been able to see if I damaged my little coral (I tried to be as gentle/thorough as I could) but hopefully all will be well when I get back home.

Bubble Algae isn't a super harmful algae, it just can overtake a tank, especially since there's not really a lot of CUC that eats it.