Please ID tough filament algae - Cladophora?

[ReeFish1]

Hi everyone,

I've got tufts of this filamentous algae appearing all over in my recently set up (mid July) nano reef and was hoping someone could help ID and advise any treatments or critters to eat it.

My trochus and cerith snails won't touch it. I would like to avoid emerald crabs for fear of them attacking my tiny pink streaked wrasse.

Any idea if a tuxedo urchin could help?

In the tank

Under microscope

 

[taricha]

cladophora has branches typically.
there are chaetomorpha that anchor like that and are unbranched. Check Chaetomorpha antennina for example.

 

[ReeFish1]

I think you might be right, looks a lot like the pictures if Chaetomorpha antennina! Any ideas of what might eat it?

A bit of research shows its pretty hit or miss what fish, crabs, urchins etc will eat the chaeto used for nutrient control in fuges.