Is this Red Turf Algae or something else?

[techytechguy]

Hi all,

I have got three or four patches of some red stuff on the rock. Is it Red Turf Algae or some kind of Coralline or something else? There is barely any "turf" on it. Is it because my yellow and whitetail tang are keeping it mowed down? Could it be some kind of Coralline? So far I don't really mind it, it is kinda pretty actually but I have heard that RTA can take over a tank. If it is RTA then maybe I should take some action.

 

[kingoftheHiLLpeople]

You talking about that little patch? First pic just right of center?

 

[KrisReef]

Kinda looks like red slime (cyanobacteria) but the tangs are not going to eat that. There is a coralline that has that color but not that texture, from what I can see. Does it come off if you siphon or brush on it?

 

[kingoftheHiLLpeople]

Can you get a closer pic? Maybe to show texture?

 

[Cali Reef Life]

If it scrapes off easily its not it but if you cant scrape it off then it is. The turbos should take care of it. I have a lot on my rock but it doesn't look bad. Happened when a crash killed all my snails. Waiting for them to finish QT to get to work.

Honestly it doesn't really harm anything and some people over react to anything in tank when a small amount is totally fine and normal.

 

[techytechguy]

Here are some more top-down pics. It doesn't blow off when I scrub it with a brush.

and here is a video of me trying to scrub it. Sorry for the shaky video ...

 

[kingoftheHiLLpeople]

Turf

 

[Ohmegg]

I had that in my last tank. Mexican turbo was the only thing that ate it. Problem is, LFS never seem to know what a "Mexican" turbo is, so it's a gamble on what species of snail there selling. I wish full scientific names would be more prevalent in the hobby, at least for animals other than coral.