Algae ID

[ZzyzxRiver]

A little tuft has popped up- not sure if it’s hair algae or something else? Tank is 2 months in so still cycling but this looks different from everything else I have algae-wise so far.

 

[TX_REEF]

the thing on the right? It looks like xenia to me. If it is, it will spread like wildfire. It is not harmful except in the sense that it will outgrow almost anything else.

 

[cloak]

Bryopsis?

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

the thing on the right? It looks like xenia to me. If it is, it will spread like wildfire. It is not harmful except in the sense that it will outgrow almost anything else.

There’s a red arrow pointing up at it. The coral is a pipe organ. My Xenia in the background probably will take over at some point but I’ve been well warned haha

 

[TX_REEF]

ah, sorry I'm a bit color blind. cloak may be right with bryopsis, it does start quite "tufty"

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

I see that in other threads people mention fluconazole- but I have a variety of decorative macroalgae in my tank- will that medication kill those too?

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

ah, sorry I'm a bit color blind. cloak may be right with bryopsis, it does start quite "tufty"

Red arrow on green background, perfect storm for color blindness! Sorry bout that

 

[Lavey29]

Just pluck it off and let the tank do its thing. Build a diverse cleaner crew as conditions dictate.

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

Just pluck it off and let the tank do its thing. Build a diverse cleaner crew as conditions dictate.

I’m inclined to do that but I’ve read that plucking it will just spread it more. I do have room for an emerald crab that could potentially help! I’ve already adjusted lighting and how much I feed, too. I’d hate to mess with chemistry by using meds so soon in my tank’s journey.

 

[Lavey29]

I’m inclined to do that but I’ve read that plucking it will just spread it more. I do have room for an emerald crab that could potentially help! I’ve already adjusted lighting and how much I feed, too. I’d hate to mess with chemistry by using meds so soon in my tank’s journey.

Crab ain't gonna touch that. Your tank will be blasted with various ugly phases the first year. It is inevitable. Weekly water changes and focus on correct parameters.

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

Crab ain't gonna touch that. Your tank will be blasted with various ugly phases the first year. It is inevitable. Weekly water changes and focus on correct parameters.

I’m working on my patience for sure. Since you mentioned diversifying my CUC I’m curious what you think about what I’ve got so far in my 16g tank:
1 Trochus snail
1 tiger sand conch
1 nassarius snail
2 cerith snail
1 peppermint shrimp
1 cleaner shrimp (I think I’m going to remove this, it’s a little manic and trampling my zoas
1 sexy shrimp
And however many copepods are surviving.

Other livestock:
1 red scooter blenny
2 perc clowns

Do I have enough/the right clean up crew? Anything you’d recommend?

 

[Lavey29]

I’m working on my patience for sure. Since you mentioned diversifying my CUC I’m curious what you think about what I’ve got so far in my 16g tank:
1 Trochus snail
1 tiger sand conch
1 nassarius snail
2 cerith snail
1 peppermint shrimp
1 cleaner shrimp (I think I’m going to remove this, it’s a little manic and trampling my zoas
1 sexy shrimp
And however many copepods are surviving.

Other livestock:
1 red scooter blenny
2 perc clowns

Do I have enough/the right clean up crew? Anything you’d recommend?

Well you add more as the tank needs it. Eventually you will probably want 5 trochus, 5 cerith and 5 tongan nacarius along with a tuxedo urchin or 2.

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

The tuft of algae was gone this morning, so apparently my current clean up crew overheard me worrying about it! Hooray!