Plant/algae identification - help needed

[sunshine60]

My husband and I are caring for a saltwater tank for friends while they are out-of-state for extended medical reasons. We have no experience with saltwater tanks. There is a strange plant-like thing that is growing on the rocks. We removed some of it, however it is clinging to the rock with a death-grip and impossible to remove without aggressive treatment. If we knew what it was and why it was growing, we could possibly get rid of it with removing what it is feeding on. I'm posting a close-up of the low-growing part. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[spanko]

Caulerpa serrulata
Is a real problem and very hard to control. What kind of fish are in the tank? How big is the tank? Could you add a fish? If so I would get a Foxface Rabbitfish (Siganus unimaculatus)

 

[zoidberg01]

Get a lawnmower blenny and once he will get used to the aquarium he will eat most of it

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by zoidberg01 http:///t/396718/plant-algae-identification-help-needed#post_3534915
Get a lawnmower blenny and once he will get used to the aquarium he will eat most of it

Hi,

A lawnmower blenny will not eat that. They eat film algae off the glass and rock, you will see their "kisses" on the glass...big stuff like that macroalgae they won't touch.

 

[bang guy]

Just continue to manually trim it as you have been. Pulling out what you can reach once a week should do it. It's not harmful as long as you keep it trimmed.

 

[jay0705]

Agreed the fox would eat it,but it's not your tank lol so just keep it trimmed