long green algae surrounding tube anemone

Hitchhik3r · Jan 27, 2023

I have had this tube anemone for about 4 months now but for the past month or so there these really long green algae surrounding the tube anemone. I tore it off the tube a few times but it always grows back. Is this something to be concerned about?

vetteguy53081 · Jan 27, 2023

Hitchhik3r said:
I have had this tube anemone for about 4 months now but for the past month or so there these really long green algae surrounding the tube anemone. I tore it off the tube a few times but it always grows back. Is this something to be concerned about?

It’s bryopsis slgae and one that is a challenge. Pull it off by hand BUT you must get rid of the roots or it will simply grow back
Take a dental pick or small crochet needle and pull every root off
Adding pitho crab and chiton snails will help with control

Hitchhik3r · Jan 28, 2023

vetteguy53081 said:
It’s bryopsis slgae and one that is a challenge. Pull it off by hand BUT you must get rid of the roots or it will simply grow back
Take a dental pick or small crochet needle and pull every root off
Adding pitho crab and chiton snails will help with control

oh no. so THATS the green fuzz that also keeps taking over my gorgonions! Will pitho crabs cause any problems?

vetteguy53081 · Jan 28, 2023

Hitchhik3r said:
oh no. so THATS the green fuzz that also keeps taking over my gorgonions! Will pitho crabs cause any problems?

Pitho good, emeralds are not but remove first as there are no cleaners that can keep up with its growth rate

Hitchhik3r · Jan 28, 2023

Do you think it would be ok to take the tube anemone out into a bucket to make it easier to pick off the bryopsis? Or would that be too stressful?

Paleozoic_reefer · Jan 28, 2023

Hitchhik3r said:
Do you think it would be ok to take the tube anemone out into a bucket to make it easier to pick off the bryopsis? Or would that be too stressful?

You can do it in the tank as well. I have the same issue and I have to pull the algae off their tubes periodically. Sometimes I even have to cut the tip off their mucus tube to make it easier and less stressful for them, but I wouldn’t recommend doing it.