algae bubbles
- Thread starter fanofkorn
- Start date
razoreqx
Active Member
Three types of green algae found in the Chlorophyta phylum that are commonly referred to as bubble algae are the smooth Valonia and Ventricaria, and the rough Dictyospheria genera.
These algae are single-celled plants that reproduce sexually and asexually, growing as bubbles in various shapes and sizes. Valonia macrophysa has large bubbles, Valonia aegagropila forms bubbles about three times as long as they are wide, and Valonia utricularis grows sausage-shaped bubbles.
Ventricaria ventricosa is the most common type found in aquariums and grows as individual rounded green bubbles of up to an inch or more in diameter. There is also a bubble stage of Derbesia (hair algae) that resembles Ventricaria ventricosa, but differs because it drifts when unattached, whereas Valonia sinks.
Dictyospheria form mats of small bubbles in a tight vicinity of each other in an irregular pattern and their growth follows the shape of the live rock or item they are growing on. Fast growing, these rough bubble species can cover rocks, prevent corals from attaching and may even overtake coral growths.
Colpomenia is another from of bubble algae, but found in the brown algae phylum Phaeophyta. Colpomenia grow rubbery, hollow, irregularly shaped masses that may float or drift when broken off. It grows especially well in nutrient rich environments, and if they were fast growing would be considered a nuisance algae.
Bubble algae are usually brought into an aquarium when introducing live rock. Living on very small amounts of nutrients and low lighting (even in dark areas of an aquarium), if they become a nuisance they usually require removal or thinning by hand. Reducing tank nutrients will not do the job with the Dictyospheria sp. Great care should be taken not to break open the bubbles. As the bubbles mature they contain spores, and if broken this can cause them to spread more rapidly.
These algae are single-celled plants that reproduce sexually and asexually, growing as bubbles in various shapes and sizes. Valonia macrophysa has large bubbles, Valonia aegagropila forms bubbles about three times as long as they are wide, and Valonia utricularis grows sausage-shaped bubbles.
Ventricaria ventricosa is the most common type found in aquariums and grows as individual rounded green bubbles of up to an inch or more in diameter. There is also a bubble stage of Derbesia (hair algae) that resembles Ventricaria ventricosa, but differs because it drifts when unattached, whereas Valonia sinks.
Dictyospheria form mats of small bubbles in a tight vicinity of each other in an irregular pattern and their growth follows the shape of the live rock or item they are growing on. Fast growing, these rough bubble species can cover rocks, prevent corals from attaching and may even overtake coral growths.
Colpomenia is another from of bubble algae, but found in the brown algae phylum Phaeophyta. Colpomenia grow rubbery, hollow, irregularly shaped masses that may float or drift when broken off. It grows especially well in nutrient rich environments, and if they were fast growing would be considered a nuisance algae.
Bubble algae are usually brought into an aquarium when introducing live rock. Living on very small amounts of nutrients and low lighting (even in dark areas of an aquarium), if they become a nuisance they usually require removal or thinning by hand. Reducing tank nutrients will not do the job with the Dictyospheria sp. Great care should be taken not to break open the bubbles. As the bubbles mature they contain spores, and if broken this can cause them to spread more rapidly.
