Red Macro Algae - Anything that Eats it (Snails, etc.) or a Way to Kill it (Peroxide, etc.)?

[that Reef Guy]

Some of my Frags have this Red Macro Algae Growing on them.

It is Very Thin and "Leafy"

It is Spreading Frag to Frag.

I can Scrape it off but it Keeps Coming Back and Growing Fast.

I have included a Picture to show you what it is.

My Question is - Is there anyway to get rid of it?

Is there a Snail or something that likes to eat it?

Will Dipping the Frags in Hydrogen Peroxide Kill it (I know this works for Hair Algae).

If anybody has any Tips Please Please let me know.

 

[GHill762]

that's gracilaria hayi, it's a good macro.. tangs love the stuff, emerald crabs will munch on it, etc.. it's not a pest or anything, it grows quickly for me when my nutrients are high.. also, manual removal is really the easiest, but my tang absolutely loves it..

peroxide should nuke it..

 

[that Reef Guy]

that's gracilaria hayi, it's a good macro.. tangs love the stuff, emerald crabs will munch on it, etc.. it's not a pest or anything, it grows quickly for me when my nutrients are high.. also, manual removal is really the easiest, but my tang absolutely loves it..

peroxide should nuke it..

Maybe not a Pest to you But Definetly a Pest to Me.

It Covers my Frag Plugs and is Unsightly.

One Frag of SPS is all White at the Bottom because it Smothered it!

I want to stay away from Hydrogen Peroxide.

I am looking at that as a Last Resort.

I would much rather buy something that would eat it and be safer for the Frags.

Preferably a certain type of Snail.

How are Tiger Trochus Snails with this Stuff?

 

[GHill762]

Maybe not a Pest to you But Definetly a Pest to Me.

let me rephrase, it's not typically considered a pest..

however, the aggressive growth is odd, and the fact that it's growing out of the rockwork/plugs is also kinda odd, mine free floats with the exception of the few places I've glued it down.. my emerald used to devour it though.. can't speak for a trochus, I've never had one..

 

[that Reef Guy]

let me rephrase, it's not typically considered a pest..

however, the aggressive growth is odd, and the fact that it's growing out of the rockwork/plugs is also kinda odd, mine free floats with the exception of the few places I've glued it down.. my emerald used to devour it though.. can't speak for a trochus, I've never had one..

Yeah, it attaches.

It does not grow out like in the picture (But the Shape and Color is the Same).

It Clings to Rock/Frag Plugs and usually "Lays Flat."

Hope that Helps.

 

[GHill762]

Do you have pics?

 

[diablomaster9045]

Maybe not a Pest to you But Definetly a Pest to Me.

It Covers my Frag Plugs and is Unsightly.

One Frag of SPS is all White at the Bottom because it Smothered it!

I want to stay away from Hydrogen Peroxide.

I am looking at that as a Last Resort.

I would much rather buy something that would eat it and be safer for the Frags.

Preferably a certain type of Snail.

How are Tiger Trochus Snails with this Stuff?

Trochus will not eat it. Red Mithrax crabs are your best bet other than manual removal.

 

[that Reef Guy]

Trochus will not eat it. Red Mithrax crabs are your best bet other than manual removal.

Are there any Snails that will eat it?

I do not Trust Crabs with all my Zoanthids.

 

[Steven Nelson]

What you describe is not gracilaria hayi, but red cyanobacter. It’s not algae but bacteria.
I’ll let you do the research, as I’m tuckered.

 

[ScottR]

What you describe is not gracilaria hayi, but red cyanobacter. It’s not algae but bacteria.
I’ll let you do the research, as I’m tuckered.

There’s a pic of it in the original post. Not Cyano.

 

[Steven Nelson]

There’s a pic of it in the original post. Not Cyano.

He said that the picture wasn’t of the stuff in his tank, and then described it clinging to corals and laying flat on the bottom. That’s not gracileria.

 

[WheatToast]

I know I am extremely late... but here it goes.
Maybe we have been mistaken. OP's image definitely shows Gracilaria hayi ("Red Dragons Macroalgae" on the original online source, probably a name it made up), but the growth rate and pattern remind me of this similar Red Turf Macroalgae.
And here it is growing "flat" as OP described:
https://www.nano-reef.com/applications/core/interface/imageproxy/imageproxy.php?img=http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq264/javisaman/Tank/IMG_0206.jpg&key=ce5a2604515694e7c5f4e8546151bcb67367f0dcd6d762285c1d1a62f9e51a67
As for predators, I have heard abalones (which are snails) will eat all macroalgae (I am doubtful about the calcareous macroalgae varieties, but who knows).