Interesting algae website

[Misty]

[I was online tonight trying to figure out exactly what kind of algae I have growing in my tank. Right now, I can count five different kinds, two of which I know the identity (hair algae and caulerpa). Of the other three, one is suspected to be the dreaded bryopsis (pic attached, you'll notice how it's attacking a really cool coral...and ticking me off ...still can't seem to get a good pic of this on the web) and the other two are an unknown red algae, which I believe to be really good macros. One is grape-like, of which I have found limited information. The other is a really cool jagged-leafy variety, although the leaves just get longer...they aren't really leaves at all...couple of pics attached of this) "new" tank recently transferred so lots of stuff going on here.

Cool Algae/Marine Botony Website
Suspected Bryopsis
Red Macro???
Red Algae Up-Close

Ideas??? ???]

 

[melev]

[Bryopsis is short dark green tines, quite similar to hair algae. It is really more like a lawn, as you can see the individual needles and they are very rigid and virtually impossible to remove manually.

The other two remind me a little of pink cotton candy, but it was far more fine where yours looks thicker. I suggest you put that picture in the Macro Algae Forum on RC and see if someone can give you the correct species ID.]

 

[Kitty]

[I don't know what it is, but I always admire a good picture!]

 

[Justin]

[Hi Misty,

The suspected bryopsis picture is most likely bryopsis unless some of the fronds grow larger than they are now in which case I would say it is a macro algae of some form. I am 98% sure it is bryopsis from the picture. If it has a blueish sheen from different angles then I would say 100% bryopsis.

The red algae looks like two possibilities:

most likely it is "Halymenia" sometimes called Red leaf algae.

It supposedly has a possitive effect on water quality and is said to thrive in aquariums with excess nitrate.

It also superficially looks like "Nitophyllum" but I am putting my money on the "Halymenia"

good luck with the bryopsis.]