An algae request

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janetgenz

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I am setting up a research lab at the University of West Georgia, and the focus of the research is the lettuce sea slug, Elysia crispata</em>. I’m particularly interested in the fact that E. crispata</em> is known to eat only a few types of macroalgae. If you have (for free or for sale), or know a source for, any of the following please let me know! Note that it is very important to have the algae identifiable to the species level (although if you have some you can’t identify, I would be willing to try to help you do so).

Caulerpa racemosa http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=1221">http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=1221</a>
Halimeda incrassata [IMG]http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=3806">http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=3806</a>
Bryopsis (any) [IMG]http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=1132">http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=1132</a>
Chlorodesmis (any) [IMG]http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=3802">http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=3802</a>
 
Typically at the hobbyist level you won't be likely to find anyone who can properly ID any sort of GHA (Green Hair Algae) as it is a very broad term which covers many different species of algae.

B. plumosa and B. pennata are usually recognized as Bryopsis by many due to the branching "fern like" and tough, wirey, rooted structure. This stuff is basically evil and it shouldn't take too much of it before you will never be able to eradicate it fast enough with lettuce nudibranchs alone!
 
Yes, the first two (C. racemosa </em> and H. incrassata</em>) are the only ones that I have to have that species. My experiments are basically going to offer different types of algae to the slugs and see what they can utilize for photosynthesis. Thus, I need a variety of specific macroalgae for the experiments, and any kind of bryopsis for everyday care. I called around to most of the local aquarium suppliers with no luck, so I am hoping that some kind club members might be able to help me out!
I have a tank set up exclusively for culturing the algae so it won't over-run my animal tanks.
 
Hello!
A bit of background: I am a marine biologist, new to the area, and setting up my research lab at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton. My research is based on the lettuce sea slug, Elysia crispata</em>, and its ability to absorb the chloroplasts of the algae it eats. That’s where you come in!

Although these guys will consume a few different types of macroalgae, what they really like is Byopsis, commonly known as green hair algae. I am in the unique situation of wanting this alga in my tanks in order to feed my research animals, but I can’t just buy it at the store since usually people are trying to keep their tanks clear of it! Which leads me to my request: if you have a tank that is “infested” with Bryopsis, I will happily take it off your hands to get my culture going in the lab. Just let me know if you have some you’d like to get rid of, and I will come pick it up!
 
Wow to bad i got rid of mine. I'm surprised that no one has offered you some. I'm sure their is a few people on here with algae problems.
 
I wish I can help, normally when most of the fellas got to the point of getting bryopsis they would rather break out their tanks after fighting for a while with the problem. But I bet you'll find someone in the middle of that fight against it. Would love to see studies down the road!
 
I have some hair algae that (luckily) only grows in my overflow.(knock on wood) I live in alpharetta, if you want it come and get it. I work from home so any day would be fine.
 
I have Halimeda growing in one of my live rocks. Nothing in my tank will eat it. It's like a plastic weed that I have to pull out about every two-three months. I average the size of about a golf ball and a half in that time frame. I hate the stuff.
 
Gulf Coast ecosystems http://live-plants.com">http://live-plants.com</a>) usually has some c. racemosa and can lay their hands on just about anything that grows in the Gulf/Caribbean/Keys region. Even if it says out of stock contact them.. they usually have enough to scrape together an order if you ask nice. Russ is pretty good about this sort of thing. I bet he could also source some byropsis.

Locally I've seen c.racemosa at Premier Aquatics and The Fish Store in the last 3 weeks or so. Try them if you're in the area.
 
Tuesday at 9:30 in the morning I will be cleaning a tank off 141 in Johns creek. 600 gallons and plenty of the algae you need, and he's a hell of a friendly guy....let me know.
 
The guy at PremierAquatics said they may be able to get me some C. racemosa in the near future. I will try contacting Gulf Coast Eco directly - thanks for the info.

The woman I spoke to at The Fish Store suggested I contact y'all for algae, and she was right! Thanks for the offers everyone - I've pm'd everyone who has algae to spare, and will keep checking for more responses.
 
heathlindner25;944127 wrote: Tuesday at 9:30 in the morning I will be cleaning a tank off 141 in Johns creek. 600 gallons and plenty of the algae you need, and he's a hell of a friendly guy....let me know.
Click to expand...

I would love to tag along and lend a hand cleaning in exchange for some algae. Just let me know when and where to show up!
- Janet
 
janetgenz;944136 wrote: I would love to tag along and lend a hand cleaning in exchange for some algae. Just let me know when and where to show up!
- Janet
Click to expand...

I'll set it up.
 
janetgenz;944135 wrote: The guy at PremierAquatics said they may be able to get me some C. racemosa in the near future. I will try contacting Gulf Coast Eco directly - thanks for the info.

The woman I spoke to at The Fish Store suggested I contact y'all for algae, and she was right! Thanks for the offers everyone - I've pm'd everyone who has algae to spare, and will keep checking for more responses.
Click to expand...

Im going to do a water change next sunday ill get you as much as I can and you can come pick it up
 
Not to threadjack... but are you only studying E. crispata or also E. diomedea? Both are interchangeably sold as "lettuce sea slugs" in the hobby, although the latter originates from Sea of Cortez/Baja and Pacific regions rather than the Carribean.

I've tried on two separate occasions to keep E. diomedea only to end up with them wandering into powerheads (even mesh covered!) or stranding itself on the wrong side of the lid... but I suspect that diet would have been the next hurdle, even in my macro-centric tank.
 
BulkRate;944474 wrote: Not to threadjack... but are you only studying E. crispata or also E. diomedea? Both are interchangeably sold as "lettuce sea slugs" in the hobby, although the latter originates from Sea of Cortez/Baja and Pacific regions rather than the Carribean.

I've tried on two separate occasions to keep E. diomedea only to end up with them wandering into powerheads (even mesh covered!) or stranding itself on the wrong side of the lid... but I suspect that diet would have been the next hurdle, even in my macro-centric tank.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your interest, but didn't anyone ever tell you that if you ask a scientist about their research you'll get a long, boring lecture?! :)
I am primarily focused on E. crispata at the moment, as they are one of 4 species known to retain the chloroplasts long-term. How long were you able to hold your E. diomedea without feeding them?
I didn't know those species were sometimes sold interchangeably, so thanks for the heads up, I will be sure to ID my slugs when I get them. If I do end up with some E. diomedea, I'll have to think up some interesting questions about them too!

I've tried to set up my aquaria with the special holding requirements of the slugs in mind (the benefit of a single-species tank), so hopefully I won't run into any issues with unplanned mortalities, although it's always tricky keeping a new type of organism.
 
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