Algae id and natutal predator

[bhodges82]

I have this algae that grows in my frag tank, it's leafy, maybe a type of culerpa? Can someone tell me what it is and what eats it please.

Thanks.

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[bzb]

Not certain on the species, but anything that looks like that typically was eaten in my old tanks by emerald crabs, decorator crabs, or turbos. Some angelfish and of course tangs. IME, tangs eat anything and everything. I’m still looking for a good small Kole tang - they’re such good worker bees.

 

[dball711]

It looks like the early growth of a sea lettuce, maybe Ulva lactuca.

 

[bhodges82]

It looks like the early growth of a sea lettuce, maybe Ulva lactuca.

View attachment 11521

This is exactly what it looks like. PITA to get off of frags. I guess i need more crabs.

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[dball711]

Crabs, turbos, tangs, foxface...anything that eats algae loves that stuff.

 

[ActiveAngel]

I concur with Dave; definitely looks like sea lettuce. I tried growing that stuff intentionally for a while, but everything eats it so it didn’t last.

 

[ichthyoid]

+1 Ulva is a good thing and any tang would love it!

 

[jcook54]

I believe a few folks actually grow the stuff on purpose to feed tangs & as a mcaro for a refugium. You might be sitting on a gold mine bro! Or a giant pain, depends on the perspective I suppose.

 

[civics14]

Tangs love that stuff

 

[ichthyoid]

I believe a few folks actually grow the stuff on purpose to feed tangs & as a mcaro for a refugium. You might be sitting on a gold mine bro! Or a giant pain, depends on the perspective I suppose.

"A weed is just another plant, whose redeeming qualities have yet to be discovered..."

 

[ichthyoid]

FWIW-
A few years back I discovered this thick red macro algae thriving in the refugium area of my sump, under a spring lamp no less.

When I asked a seasoned fellow reefer about it, he replied that it was a dreaded plague, so I nuked it with vinegar.

I came to find out later, it's now referred to as dragon's tongue (sells for $45 per bunch!) -

Dragon's Tongue

At AlgaeBarn we treat, quarantine and inspect all of our CleanMacro™ Live macroalgae. Dragon's Tongue macroalgae are excellent in either the main tank or the refugium as an ornamental seaweed.

www.algaebarn.com