Green Bubble Algae

Hi,

It will not harm the coral per se just by it's presence however it will continue to spread in the tank as long as it's basic needs are fullfilled i.e., light and nutrients. There are alway's warning to not burst them or they will spread then the next piece of advice is to use "critter" to help eradicate it. I would like these expert's to explain how a "critter" can eat something without bursting it in some manner. [smilie=lol.gif] I am also moving this to a more appropriate forum since this is not an emergency.

Cheers,
 
It's ok for the bubble algae, but not so good for the coral. Some consider this type of algae a nuisance. I have some in my tank, but it seems to just stay put in 2 places. It has never grown on any coral, though, and that will likely block the light, and keep nutrients from getting to the coral. I have read that rabbitfish will eat it. I have a rabbitfish, but have never caught it eating any. I would pull it off of the coral, and also any that is near any coral.

David
 
It's not so much that critters can eat it without bursting it, but when new tender young bubbles form, there is something there to eat them before they get bigger. Like any herbivore algae control, you have to get it to a level your critters are eating faster than it is growing. So, that means manual removal for a bit.
 
I bet that is what it is. I see a bubble or 2 floating around every once in a while now that I have the yellow tang and rabbit fish (I got them around the same time). I never saw that before. That rabbit is probably eating some of it. Good!

David
 
Strange, David, they have devoured every piece of algae in my tank excluding GHA. They have eaten the small strings of chaeto that float in my tank, the bubble algae and help clean up the bits of spirulina that come near them. They are great for getting rid of nuisance algae.
 
Having a healthy refugium helps also. I have red bubble algae (along with other good algae) growing in my refugium but nothing in my display tank.
 
bimmerz, i have often wondered the same thing too about the critters that eat it. surely they are popping them and speading it as well. :)

i haven't found anything reliable for bubble algae yet. i've tried arrow crabs but they will attack other invertabrates i've noticed. and someone also told me that can munch certain corals. not to mention when i had a couple, i never even saw them eat any bubble algae. i have several emerald crabs and haven't ever noticed them eating bubble algae either, but they love the green hair in my tank. so as far as bubble algae goes in my tank, a have a little and just let it be. when they get big enough and i can reach them, i just pull them off trying not to break them. i would definately try and get them off any corals if i were you though. so far, my bubble algae's not out of control. maybe the emeralds are eating some. not sure. as far as algae goes, unless its a major outbreak, i pay little mind to it. be dilligent on your water changes, don't leave your lights on too long, and like steven said, try to keep a healthy fuge and everything should be in order.
 
@Capt_krill wrote:
Strange said:
I am glad that they worked for you! It just wasn't my experience. All that I had to offer them was a couple of small patches of bubble algae. Maybe they never bumped in to it?

David
Click to expand...
 
I find almost any invert fun to watch.

Emerald crabs
Pom Pom Crabs
Fire shirmp
Peppermint shrimp
Anemone Crab
Harlequin Shrimp

and so on. Just boat loads of fun to watch in the night lights.
 
The emeralds that I had blended in so well with the golden green coralline on my rocks that I never saw them again after I put them in there. I would have liked to have seen them again!

David
 
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