I popped an algae bubble. What can I expect?

[Jakepen]

One of my Rhodactis, sits on a live rock rubble from WWC. It had some bubble algae on it, when pulling the frag our which was glued down, one of the bubbles popped. Can I expect to see an outbreak now?

 

[Untamedrose]

It's possible. Popping them can release spores, but they still need the right conditions to really explode.

Water change sure wouldn't hurt.

 

[Salty1962]

Popping does release spores and I would expect to see more because of it. I would recommend that if you try using a piece of air tubing over the location your trying to remove the bubble algae from in the future, it will help siphon the spores out of your tank if you accidently puncture another in the removal process. Just a recommendation.

 

[Jakepen]

Well fack.... Any advice on how to get ahead of and when I start to see them?

 

[JasReef]

I read something that seemed to make sense about bubble algea. There is a reason they just sit in one spot and get bigger without popping, so why would they rely on breaking as a means of reproduction? Also, people say emerald crabs get rid of it but how do you think they eat it? They have pretty small mouths so it seems they have to pop it to eat it. These sound reasonable but popping them could release spores as well, maybe they have multiple means of reproduction. I think we have to challenge conventional wisdom when it comes to things like this.

The wiki page on Valonia ventricosa states "Reproduction occurs by segregative cell division, where the multinucleate mother cell makes daughter cells, and individual rhizoids form new bubbles, which become separate from the mother cell." It is the largest single cell organism so to me it sounds almost like cloning to me. It also say it is sometimes called "sailors eyes" and I think we should call it that.

FWIW. I pop them and never had a huge explosion. Sometimes I use a tool like julians thing filled with peroxide to puncture them and squirt the area at the same time. I don't know if it helps, but it makes me feel better.

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

Yup, emerald crabs don't swallow them whole.

 

[code4]

I had some years ago. It was kind of fun to hunt them down and see which was the largest. I think I did to good of a job though. Have not been able to find any for a really long time now. And if you miss one it could become a real record holder! . I remember my first one. I was in a panic. But then as time went by it just did not excite me anymore. I am sure I popped some also!

Shelley

 

[donnievaz]

If your nutrients are low they "shouldn't" become a problem.

 

[donnievaz]

I read something that seemed to make sense about bubble algea. There is a reason they just sit in one spot and get bigger without popping, so why would they rely on breaking as a means of reproduction? Also, people say emerald crabs get rid of it but how do you think they eat it? They have pretty small mouths so it seems they have to pop it to eat it. These sound reasonable but popping them could release spores as well, maybe they have multiple means of reproduction. I think we have to challenge conventional wisdom when it comes to things like this.

The wiki page on Valonia ventricosa states "Reproduction occurs by segregative cell division, where the multinucleate mother cell makes daughter cells, and individual rhizoids form new bubbles, which become separate from the mother cell." It is the largest single cell organism so to me it sounds almost like cloning to me. It also say it is sometimes called "sailors eyes" and I think we should call it that.

FWIW. I pop them and never had a huge explosion. Sometimes I use a tool like julians thing filled with peroxide to puncture them and squirt the area at the same time. I don't know if it helps, but it makes me feel better.

I just put an Emerald in my tank to try and get them under control before they get crazy.

 

[Sabellafella]

I read something that seemed to make sense about bubble algea. There is a reason they just sit in one spot and get bigger without popping, so why would they rely on breaking as a means of reproduction? Also, people say emerald crabs get rid of it but how do you think they eat it? They have pretty small mouths so it seems they have to pop it to eat it. These sound reasonable but popping them could release spores as well, maybe they have multiple means of reproduction. I think we have to challenge conventional wisdom when it comes to things like this.

The wiki page on Valonia ventricosa states "Reproduction occurs by segregative cell division, where the multinucleate mother cell makes daughter cells, and individual rhizoids form new bubbles, which become separate from the mother cell." It is the largest single cell organism so to me it sounds almost like cloning to me. It also say it is sometimes called "sailors eyes" and I think we should call it that.

FWIW. I pop them and never had a huge explosion. Sometimes I use a tool like julians thing filled with peroxide to puncture them and squirt the area at the same time. I don't know if it helps, but it makes me feel better.

I agree, its the tiny particles of bubble algae that cling after popping, that will start a new colony. From what ive seen

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Don't sweat it.

 

[Scotty LaBeouf]

Ok take this from me personally, I let mine get out of hand a fews years back and literally my entire aquascape was covered, completely, no joke every square inch (20g tank) threw two emerald crabs in and within a week or two it was all gone and did not return. if you see it spreading to other lands its no big deal just get throw some emeralds in and your good
P.s I popped a bunch

 

[dieselkeeper]

I have had success with emerald crabs. As the bigger ones pop, an emerald crab will eat any new ones that start to grow.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I always pop mine. Crabs pop them.

 

[Evan West]

This stuff is like the pimples of the reef tank. No one likes them and everyone just wants to pop them :mad:

 

[Jakepen]

Thanks guys, I'll keep an eye out.

 

[AdamNC]

Just keep your nutrients under control and you'll be fine.

 

[mikejrice]

If you look at the fluid that comes out of them under a microscope, you'll see that it is all chloroplasts which will not reproduce.

 

[Amphibious]

Pop them all the time, never had an outbreak. All the rhetoric about not popping them or else you'll be plagued with new ones is , based on reports of unscientific observers. I'd add further, someone, somewhere, at one time thought this up and it caught os as fact. Fact is it false. I've been in SW aquariums for 51 years and have never had an outbreak from popping bubble algae. It's fun, go ahead and pop them suckers. Enjoy life without worry.

 

[jammerdave]

My magnificent foxface eats them like candy