Is this bubble algae on my zoa?

[Brakaan]

A week ago I noticed a few growths on my small zoa that I thought might be new polyps. Now I’m thinking they’re bubble algae.

Can you help me confirm? And how should I remove them? The pic is zoomed in, but for scale, the entire coral frag is about the size of a thumbnail.

 

[madweazl]

Yep. If the rock is easy to remove, pull out of tank and knock them off the rock. I've heard the can release spores if you pop them but I dont know the truth to it; I've never had a bubble algae issue (just some here and there that I plucked off). Emerald crabs are rumored to eat them.

 

[LardLad]

Yep. DON'T POP THEM.

 

[Bfragale]

If you remove rock and remove them. Give them a dip in ro water to make sure you don’t introduce the spores.

Popping them will release spores and it will start growing everywhere else. so best to do it outside the tank, remove all you can see and then Rinse in ro.

I’m not sure: there may be something else you can dip them in to kill it. Let’s see if anyone else is more knowledgeable in regards to a zoe safe dip that would also kill it.

good luck

 

[Brakaan]

Any ideas on how it may have gotten there? I’ve heard they can hitchhike on coral frags. Maybe that’s why it’s only on the zoa?

 

[Bfragale]

Any ideas on it may have gotten there? I’ve heard they can hitchhike on coral frags. Maybe that’s why it’s only the zoa?

That sounds reasonable and plausible to me, if that’s a fairly new frag and the only place you see it, that would be my guess.

 

[Greg P]

Any ideas on how it may have gotten there? I’ve heard they can hitchhike on coral frags. Maybe that’s why it’s only on the zoa?

Most likely where they came from has them in that system and they've only just started to mature on your frag base.

 

[krash7172]

I had bubble algae. I put a few emerald crabs in and they went straight to work. I watched them pop every single one as they ate. Popping doesn't seem to make it spread in my experience.

 

[krash7172]

Popping Bubble Algae: Let's settle this once and for all!

Not pooping but popping bubble algae! :D We all at some point or another get green bubble algae. When we're new to the hobby we think it's pretty. Heck some stores have been known to prey, I mean sell it to their new customers. Once it gets out of control it can cover everything including rock...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[35ppt]

If you're able to remove the rock I would also hit the area they're growing on with some hydrogen peroxide after you've removed them. It will help to prevent them growing back. But keep an eye on that spot as they can be persistent.