Caulerpa prolifera - 09/08/06
I'm looking for Caulerpa for my sump (to use with Miracle Mud).  Just wondering if Prolifera is the same stuff.  I have prolifera growing in the main tank.
<<Prolifera is likely the most common species of Caulerpa available>>
Thanks,
James
<<Regards, EricR>>

Caulerpa Invasion - 02/18/06
Dear crew member,
<<EricR here>>
I have a nuisance algae in my tank which (after searching this site and Algaebase) I believe is Caulerpa nummularia - there is also a photo of it on your site, under the heading Marine Algae ID 9.  The email is entitled Algae ID 12/17/05.  It is the photo on the bottom left.
<<Yes, I see it.>>
The thing is, there doesn't seem to be an abundance of information about it out there - or at least, with my amateur research skills, I can't find it.
<<Hmm...a Google search re seems to bring up quite a few "hits"...though only working through them will determine if there is any useful information.>>
What I do know is that it spreads like bird flu and seems impossible, short of a tank tear-down, to eradicate.
<<All the Caulerpa species can be very difficult to remove once entrenched.>>
Do you think a tang species might eat it?
<<Maybe...but I think a Foxface would be a better choice.>>
I don't know if it's toxic or not.  Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
<<Have a look here, I think you'll find it of interest:  http://reefshow.com/html/modules.php?name=AvantGo&file=print&sid=144 >>
Thanks,
Melinda
<<Regards, EricR>>
 

Algae identification and removal 02-05-06 Hi, <Hello> I have a large amount of what appears to be Caulerpa growing in my tank. Today while fumbling through your archives I read that some Caulerpa can give off toxins, which surprised me. <All algae can actually> So I looked through all your algae identification pages, and I found nothing. <Surprising> A close match is Caulerpa racemosa, but I don't think that is it. <Is what this looks like to me> I will be attaching a picture of it. Just in case it did not go through, which it may very well not, I will give a quick description. As all Caulerpa it is based on a vine. On the vine "bubbles" shoot out along the vine. Unlike Caulerpa racemosa, there are two bubbles on opposite sides of the vine, then go up 1/2cm the vine and there are two more "bubbles" on opposite sides of the vine and this continues. So my questions are what is this? And is it a danger to my tank? <In large (relative) quantity, possibly> By the way my yellow tang will not touch it, this leads to my theory of it being undesirable. If I need to remove it what is the best way to do it. Remove it all at once? <If you want> Or remove it over the period of a few days due to the possibility of releasing excessive toxins into the water? <Oh! If you want to remove it entirely, try to take it out all in one go... along with a water change, use of carbon...> Sorry for the lengthy question? <No worries. Bob Fenner> Thanks much, Jed

Re: Caulerpa query   2/24/06 Hi Bob, <David> I an trying to resend a pic of the Caulerpa and also of the unidentified algae. <Got them... both appear to be Caulerpa spp.> I am one of those who seen to have a problem getting queries through with attachments so we'll see what happens.  I have searched WWM for an ID on the second algae to no avail. Thanks David <The second may be C. pinnata... See the Net or Baensch V. 1 Marine Atlas, p. 302... perhaps C. flagelliformis in its "small" stage. Bob Fenner>

Macro algae ID confirmation 1/28/04 Hey, I just got some macro algae from where I used to work the people there told me that it was illegal to sell because it was taking over the reefs, or something to that effect, <This is not accurate.  Some Caulerpa species are illegal to possess in California because they are non-native and have been found growing in local waters.  The same Caulerpas have been found in the Mediterranean and in Australia.  Some folks have argued that these Caulerpas have taken over habitat and displaced native species.  Others have argued that the Caulerpa only invades areas that have been badly damaged by pollution, and that its presence actually helps control the pollution and creates new habitat for other critters.  They also assert that once the pollution is controlled by the Caulerpa, it dies back paving the way for native species to re-establish themselves.  In any case, the type you have is not one of the illegals, and even if it was, there is no Caulerpa Gestapo going door to door looking for secret stashes.  As with any marine organism, please do dispose of any excess responsibly.  Please do not put it down drains or into the ocean.  Letting it dry out in your garden, compost pile or back yard or putting it in the trash are all fine.> so he just gave me a handful some people have told me that it is just razor Caulerpa , but I want to be positive enclosed is a picture of the algae, and I hope that you can make a positive id  btw....if you need a better picture, just let me know <The pic is fine.  This is what is commonly called "razor Caulerpa".  I would recommend strongly AGAINST allowing this to become established in a display aquarium.  Not many Caulerpas are very palatable to fish, and this is among the least so, making it very hard to control.  I have not found any fish that will eat it.  In terms of utility in refugia, I would consider this Caulerpa to be average in terms of growth rate and tendency to "go sexual" or crash.  HTH.  Adam>

Caulerpaceae
Greetings Bob,
I must commend you and the others for putting together such a extensive and informative site.
I have recently read your article GREEN ALGAE OF THE FAMILY CAULERPACEAE. In the first paragraph you mention that Caulerpa has the largest (I assume by volume) cell in the algae order. I am under the impression that this excludes Chara the freshwater algae. Correct me if I am wrong. Thanks,
<I do think (and this is not an original assessment... as are likely any!) that Caulerpa are the largest single cell organisms (even more than ostrich eggs) in the world including (have removed a bunch of the green algae genus) Chara.>
Devoted fan of your work
Nathan LaVoy
B.S. Biology
<Be chatting, Bob Fenner>

First question is about Caulerpa. What is this and what is it used for.
My assumption is that it absorbs some nitrates. Is it a good thing to add to a tank?
<Caulerpa is a large genus of Green Algae, found in shallow waters throughout the tropical seas. They do absorb nitrates, phosphates, more... and make oxygen, release other chemicals of benefit to captive systems... All good things for your tank>
Second - I just purchased a long tentacled anemone because the maroon gold striped clown I wanted was firmly attached to him. Any information you can give me to give this guy (the anemone) the best chance possible for survival would be greatly appreciated. I only have regular fluorescent lighting right now, but have a 250 watt metal halide retrofit kit on the way (should be here within the week). Also, are there any additives that would help (I use Kent Coral-Vite)?
<Hmm, don't know if I'm following you here... the animal is photosynthetic... needs more light... now... no additives... some folks purposely feed the large anemones found in symbioses with Clownfishes... others rely on the fish feeding their anemone and incidental foods blowing into the anemone...>
tank stats:
55 gallon tank
1 30 watt daylight fluorescent (PowerGlo)
1 15 watt daylight fluorescent (PowerGlo)
1 15 watt blue actinic
1 250 watt metal halide w/6700k bulb on the way)
1 Emperor 400 (carbon media removed and bio beads added to extra media basket)
1 Emperor 280 (also modified as above)
1 20" venturi skimmer (purchased from FFExpress)
~20 to 25lbs of Marshall Island live rock.
I hate killing things, let me know if this is sufficient.
Thanks!!!!!
>>
I would "look, before you leap/purchase" going forward... these anemones aren't easy to maintain... and can cause real problems if they die suddenly, get sucked up against an intake....
Bob Fenner

Mexican Caulerpas 
I was wondering if you could help me. We have recently noticed some green algae growing in our 75 gallon reef tank. This algae appears to be almost feather looking. It only grows in certain areas of the tank. Is this normal? 
<Yes, and yes... Algae, as in life "happens" where there are propitious to allowable conditions... a good sign really>
If not what can I do to permanently remove it.
<Permanently? Nothing... But much can be done to help control it>
I was told that this was Mexican Caulerpas and it was a good thing to have. I would like to get any information you can on this. Also will this stuff need to be controlled??? If so is there some kind of fish or something that will eat it?? Thanks for any help you may offer. Debbie 
<Please read through the materials constantly being added to on the topics of Marine Algae, Caulerpas (there's a pic of mexicana there if memory serves), Algae Control... and related FAQs files. Bob Fenner>

Bubble Algae?
Bob,
I have a type of algae that started growing out of my live sand and I am trying to make a determination as to what it is. It has small pearl shaped green bubbles growing on a stalk that is also green and what looks like roots coming off of the stalk. I did some research on your site and the web and found a Caulerpa that is close to it (grape Caulerpa), however, there are still some differences in the way the pictures of the grape Caulerpa I have found on the web look when compared to what's in my tank. The bubbles growing on the stalk do not strand up like some of the grape pictures I have seen. Approximately every half an inch on the stalk, there is a spot where there is a small limb with three or four bubbles attached. Could this actually be Valonia or something similar and should I remove it?
<Could be... and there is tremendous variation in these species with varying conditions (light, nutrient, current...) in captivity... Removal? I would leave it unless it's growing too much, unattractive to you>
The only thing I have found about Valonia is that it usually grows in clumps or as a single bubble, but not on stalks like other macro-algae. 
<Usually, yes>
I actually didn't have much concern over the matter until today at lunch I noticed a small clump of three bubbles attached to a piece of live rock for the first time.
I immediately removed the piece of rock and the bubbles from it. Again I wasn't sure if this was actually bubble algae either since the coloration of the algae on the rock was similar to that which is growing on the stalk.
Also, from what I have seen, most Valonia appears to be a deep green (almost metallic) color. This algae is more of a true green and not as deep and shiny as the pictures I have seen. Any ideas?
<Lots... but not much about this situation... as I say/state, no reason to be overly concerned... you can add Mithrax Crabs... physically remove this material at a later date if it proves to be too vigorous. Bob Fenner>
Thanks for your help, Chad

Re: Bubble Algae?
Thanks for your help. I managed to get a couple of pictures of the algae in question. I thought that might help with the identification. Right now it doesn't appear to be growing at what I would consider an alarming rate, but I think it will require some pruning soon. Other than the clump of bubbles I found on that piece of rock yesterday I haven't seen any indication that it is spreading anywhere the vine is not present.
<Ah, good news to report... this is almost undoubtedly a stand of Caulerpa racemosa... we have images of this species on the "Caulerpa Algae" sections on our website: www.WetWebMedia.com... can be easily "pinched" at whatever point you want to contain it and removed... a beneficial species. Bob Fenner>

Re: Bubble Algae?
Whew!!!!!! Thank you very much!
<You're welcome my friend. Bob Fenner>

Can you identify this ?
My local fish store said they could not make it out. My new Naso Tang won't touch it, but I think it's kinda cool any way. Thanks in advance for any insight you can give me as to it's nature. You are a great friend to the hobby and this hobbyist.
<Hmm, a species of Caulerpa... likely C. taxifolia. See this part of our site, images: http://wetwebmedia.com/caulerpaalg.htm
Bob Fenner>

Tumble weed algae
Hi Bob,
I removed the bio balls from my wet/dry and replaced with live rock and tumble weed algae, want to reduce nitrates, currently at 25PPM, can't seem to get lower then this. I have about 25 lbs of live rock in my 54 gal FO tank.
<More rock will help... as would a deeper, finer substrate... but is there a concern at 25 ppm of nitrates?>
Is tumble weed algae considered macro algae, it is multiplying quite well in my sump, I have a light going 24 hours on the sump. When and how much live rock or algae do I need to get the nitrates to go lower then 25PPM ?
<Ummm, is this a Caulerpa species? Please see: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/caulerpaalg.htm
... try trotting around the links if not there. Bob Fenner>
Thanks
Fred

Re: Tumble weed algae
Thanks for getting back so fast,
I will add more live rock, after checking your link the algae looks most like Caulerpa serrulata, my LFS called it tumble weed, it was not attached to a rock, you could hold a ball of it in your hand, it has a tight curly, dark green appearance to it.
<Sounds like it>
I did buy your book "The Conscious Marine Aquarist", it is great resource, I used it to set up my system, I came across your web site my accident, glad I did.
<Me too>
It seems my LFS will answer direct questions if you know what to ask, but really doesn't really promote the hobby or inquire about any problems one may be having. For the most part your on your own, if I hadn't come across your site, I would probably would have lost all my fish by now.
<Mmm... what is it about human nature and our interest... the enlightened seem to be able to anticipate what is needed... to make known what needs to be. I am glad we have met>
I love the hobby, I thrive on the challenge to keep the fish healthy and happy, this hobby is not for a person who does not want to invest the time to learn about Marine fishes or deal with the costs involved.
<You are correct my friend>
Thanks for being there for all of us.
<Thank you for sharing. Bob Fenner>
Fred

Caulerpa identification
<<CKB00[1].jpg> a labeled, apparently proprietary image, i.e., not ours to reproduce/use> Greetings, could you possibly identify this particular type of Caulerpa, and its origin? thank you! Blanca&Stace
<Mmm, not a Caulerpa species... but a rhodophyte. Please take a read through WetWebMedia.com re Red Algae under the Marine Index. Bob Fenner>