Friend or Foe?

HBnano · 10-05-2008, 11:51 PM

I have two clumps of this algae growing in my 7 gallon nano. I'm hoping someone can tell me what it is. I have never seen one quite like this. As the algae matures, the "leaves" turn a blue-white irridescent (kinda pretty). Hermits, snails, and the peppermint shrimp do not eat it. Thanks for your help, I'm new to this. Here's a pic:

cbrownfish · 10-06-2008, 12:22 AM

Looks kind of like a bleached or faded clump of Rhodophyta to me.

framerguy · 10-06-2008, 01:08 AM

It looks like Halymenia duchassaignii or Fauchea. I have Fauchea in my tank but your "leaves" look a bit more jagged than mine, but maybe too jagged for Halymenia. It is definitely in the red Rhodophyte family. It is a good algae.

HBnano · 10-06-2008, 01:55 AM

Thanks.

HBnano · 10-06-2008, 02:07 AM

Thanks.

johnmaloney · 10-14-2008, 09:33 PM

is it s called irredescent dictyota, a brown algae. A pest algae that grows quickly and is somewhat difficult to remove. It does look cool, but it can quickly overtake the tank, so regular pruning is a must.

chriswho · 10-15-2008, 08:25 AM

I have something that looks like this! It came on a zoanthid frag I got free from Blue Zoo. It was pretty good sized, but since then my crabs have trimmed it down to nubs... Not sure if it's the same thing.

johnmaloney · 10-15-2008, 06:53 PM

maybe, there are hundreds of species of dictyota, not all are bad. Also tons of brown algae species. Most are edible, and hermits will chew on them.

HBnano · 10-17-2008, 02:06 AM

Yup. The hermits will take an occasional swipe at it. But I don't think they're eating it. I see it float by. It hasn't become a problem (yet), and the baby "bugs" seem to make it their favorite hang out.

hma · 10-17-2008, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HBnano

I have two clumps of this algae growing in my 7 gallon nano. I'm hoping someone can tell me what it is. I have never seen one quite like this. As the algae matures, the "leaves" turn a blue-white irridescent (kinda pretty). Hermits, snails, and the peppermint shrimp do not eat it. Thanks for your help, I'm new to this. Here's a pic:

Dictyota dichotoma

HBnano · 10-23-2008, 12:07 AM

Thanks Heinz. I think you solved the mystery.

hma · 10-23-2008, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HBnano

Thanks Heinz. I think you solved the mystery.

your welcome

johnmaloney · 10-24-2008, 02:58 PM

going to have to disagree with the species there. Dictyota dichotoma is a strictly smooth leafed species of dictyota. The picture shoes a specimen with ruffled edges. It is more likely Dictyota mertensii, or D. crenulata, or D. delicatula, etc... no way of being sure unless you get it under a microscope.

10-05-2008, 11:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
HBnano Tubeworm Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 29 View Gallery Karma Komment	Friend or Foe? I have two clumps of this algae growing in my 7 gallon nano. I'm hoping someone can tell me what it is. I have never seen one quite like this. As the algae matures, the "leaves" turn a blue-white irridescent (kinda pretty). Hermits, snails, and the peppermint shrimp do not eat it. Thanks for your help, I'm new to this. Here's a pic:

10-06-2008, 12:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
cbrownfish Reef Lobster Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,626 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Friend or Foe? Looks kind of like a bleached or faded clump of Rhodophyta to me. __________________ *Confucius Say: "best way to save face, is to keep lower part of face shut".* CURRENT SET UP -- 90 gallon display, 30 gallon refugium, 6 gallon pod breeder, 100 gallon sump (complete with frag rack), 2X250 MH 14K DE HQI, Vortech MP40w and Koralia #4 for flow, 2X Tunze 9010 Skimmers, Sequence Dart return, 2X Ranco Controllers w/Titanium Heaters, 150 lb LR (90 in display, 60 in sump), 5" DSB, Mixed reef - Softies, LPS, SPS, Clams.

10-06-2008, 01:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
framerguy Tridacna maxima Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Clarkesville, Ga Posts: 4,994 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Friend or Foe? It looks like Halymenia duchassaignii or Fauchea. I have Fauchea in my tank but your "leaves" look a bit more jagged than mine, but maybe too jagged for Halymenia. It is definitely in the red Rhodophyte family. It is a good algae. __________________ ___________________________________ Greg All time fav quote: "Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy."-Guillaume Apollinaire "Being happy can be as easy as deciding to be!"-Greg Kimsey (framerguy) 375gDT built in wall, 100g sump, Sequence Hammerhead closed loop, DIY light system w/4x 250MH & 4x54w T5, Aqua C EV-400 skimmer etc, etc, etc... http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...areum-too.html

10-06-2008, 01:55 AM	#4 (permalink)
HBnano Tubeworm Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 29 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Friend or Foe? Thanks.

10-06-2008, 02:07 AM	#5 (permalink)
HBnano Tubeworm Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 29 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Friend or Foe? Thanks.

10-14-2008, 09:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
johnmaloney Neon dottyback Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 600 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Friend or Foe? is it s called irredescent dictyota, a brown algae. A pest algae that grows quickly and is somewhat difficult to remove. It does look cool, but it can quickly overtake the tank, so regular pruning is a must. __________________ Here is a link to my sponsored forum on reefsanctuary. Here is a link to my website, we do clean up crews and macroalgae.

10-15-2008, 08:25 AM	#7 (permalink)
chriswho Cabbage Leather Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 395 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Friend or Foe? I have something that looks like this! It came on a zoanthid frag I got free from Blue Zoo. It was pretty good sized, but since then my crabs have trimmed it down to nubs... Not sure if it's the same thing. __________________ Nobody, as long as he moves about among the chaotic currents of life, is without trouble. -Carl Jung 55g 35#LR, 55#LS, 4x65w PC, 2 Koralia PH's, Remora Pro HOB skimmer, 1 Oscellaris clown,1 Yellow tailed Damsel, 2 Clarkii Clowns, Assorted color Zoo's, Green frilly mushrooms, Flower pot coral, Orange sponge, Candy cane Coral.

10-15-2008, 06:53 PM	#8 (permalink)
johnmaloney Neon dottyback Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 600 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Friend or Foe? maybe, there are hundreds of species of dictyota, not all are bad. Also tons of brown algae species. Most are edible, and hermits will chew on them. __________________ Here is a link to my sponsored forum on reefsanctuary. Here is a link to my website, we do clean up crews and macroalgae.

10-17-2008, 02:06 AM	#9 (permalink)
HBnano Tubeworm Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 29 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Friend or Foe? Yup. The hermits will take an occasional swipe at it. But I don't think they're eating it. I see it float by. It hasn't become a problem (yet), and the baby "bugs" seem to make it their favorite hang out.

10-23-2008, 12:07 AM	#11 (permalink)
HBnano Tubeworm Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 29 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Friend or Foe? Thanks Heinz. I think you solved the mystery.

10-24-2008, 02:58 PM	#13 (permalink)
johnmaloney Neon dottyback Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 600 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Friend or Foe? going to have to disagree with the species there. Dictyota dichotoma is a strictly smooth leafed species of dictyota. The picture shoes a specimen with ruffled edges. It is more likely Dictyota mertensii, or D. crenulata, or D. delicatula, etc... no way of being sure unless you get it under a microscope. __________________ Here is a link to my sponsored forum on reefsanctuary. Here is a link to my website, we do clean up crews and macroalgae.

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