sterling007
Member
I've just noticed bubble algae starting to grow on the new live rock I got. Do I want this? If not, what do I do to limit/stop it.
Bubble algae, good or bad?
- Thread starter sterling007
- Start date
jonthefb
Active Member
bubble algae can look cool at first, but can rapidly grow to nuisance proportions. removign them by hand is probably the easiest way, however dont pop the bubble or you will release thousands of tiny spores, as this s how they reproduce. you can also try getting an emerald crab, as a lot of people say they eat bubble algae, however i got one specifically for this purpose, but he must be retarded too (my perc trys to nustle up to a mat of colonial zooanthid polyps) because all he does is munch on my live sand! what the dealie yo?? Anyway, let a couple grow cause they look kinda cool, but if they start getting outta hand, your probably gonna have to remove em!
good luck
jon
good luck
jon
goofyreefer
Member
That stuff grows everywhere!! Yesterday I noticed a bunch of bubbles next to one of my xenia colonies so i used a pair of tweesers to pull them off. As i was doing it I noticed my xenia was actually growing right over it. I had to pull the bubble algae out of the side of the xenia. Just try to keep it under some control by gently pulling it off. I haven't had any success with minthrax crabs either.
kris walker
Active Member
I really don't think they grow that fast. I have them in my tank, and they seem to grow about as fast as my xenia grow. I also have not noticed any accelerated reproduction when some bubbles naturally pop.
Speaking of bubble algae, a bubble floated by me when I was snorkeling in the Dry Tortugas (about 70 mi west of Key West). It brings a whole new perspective to the hobby when you see your tank inhabitants in their natural enviro. My darn pictures didn't come out well at all (too dark), and honestly they are not even worth the effort to post them.
Cheers,
kris
Speaking of bubble algae, a bubble floated by me when I was snorkeling in the Dry Tortugas (about 70 mi west of Key West). It brings a whole new perspective to the hobby when you see your tank inhabitants in their natural enviro. My darn pictures didn't come out well at all (too dark), and honestly they are not even worth the effort to post them.
Cheers,
kris
rockster
Member
I used to have so many in my LR, almost taking over my entire tank until I got these voracious mithrax crabs from this site. If you notice the opposing tips of their claws are flattened--designed to pick at the base of the bubble algae. I am lucky to have these mithrax crabs, they completely cleaned the bubble algae off my tank. They even ate the purple macroalgae growing on my rocks. I just wonder how they ate the bubble algae and not release the spores in the process. I know for a fact that they did not swallow the algae whole, they nibbled on them! Hmmmm...any thoughts?
bang guy
Moderator
Originally posted by Rockster:
<strong>I just wonder how they ate the bubble algae and not release the spores in the process. I know for a fact that they did not swallow the algae whole, they nibbled on them! Hmmmm...any thoughts?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Valonia is not born with mature spores + the Mithrax favorite food is BABY Valonia
<strong>I just wonder how they ate the bubble algae and not release the spores in the process. I know for a fact that they did not swallow the algae whole, they nibbled on them! Hmmmm...any thoughts?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Valonia is not born with mature spores + the Mithrax favorite food is BABY Valonia
kris walker
Active Member
Nice pics Bang guy!
Yup, my Xenia grow kinda fast, but I guess what is fast to some is not as fast to others. My caulerpa also grow about as fast as my xenia, making the valonia look no less of a problem then common algae, or at least the algae in my tank.
Cheers,
kris
Yup, my Xenia grow kinda fast, but I guess what is fast to some is not as fast to others. My caulerpa also grow about as fast as my xenia, making the valonia look no less of a problem then common algae, or at least the algae in my tank.
Cheers,
kris