Fern Caulerpa

[Sierra Reefer]

Some fern caulerpa starting growing out from a couple of zoa frags I purchased. I started trying to remove it but I only made things worse as I probably just got more spores into the tank and now it is on many of the rocks in my 29 gal. reef. I don't have anything in my tank that will eat it. Any suggestions on getting rid of it?

 

[Reeferdood]

Tweezers and emerald crabs.. Remove as much by hand as possible though..
Funny thing, way back when I first started reefing that stuff was cool to have in your tanks.... How times have changed....

 

[Sierra Reefer]

Thanks, I will be sure to put my uv sterilizer on the tank this time when I try to remove by hand. That way if I get some spores in the water it will kill them.

 

[Reeferdood]

Well.........
Unless you are running a big UV it likely won't kill everything.. Just pick it off and keep up on it, eventually it will die off... You can also look into H2O2 dosing as well..

 

[Rick.45cal]

Got any pics? Sounds more like Bryopsis too me than the caulerpa you are referring too. The caulerpa you are referring to is readily eaten by tangs. Where as almost nothing likes Bryopsis (much smaller ferns, manual removal results in massive infestation). Bryopsis is the devil. Please post pics and don't miss identify this beast!

 

[Reeferdood]

Is it this?




Or this??



Fist one is what you mention and the second is bryopsis which is bad news....

 

[Sierra Reefer]

Is it this?




Or this??



Fist one is what you mention and the second is bryopsis which is bad news....

I believe you are correct it is bryopsis. I have heard turbo snails will eat it. Since my reef is new I am able to turn over some of the rock. No light and it dies off.