Long bubble algae?

[b4tn]

I have never seen this before. It almost looks like bubble algae. Has the same color and pops. But it doesn’t grow in clusters. It grows in individual pipes and sometimes even gets covered with coralline like the one behind the pictures arrow. This stuff grows like crazy on my algae scrubber screen and attaches to everything very firm. I have troubles scraping it off with a metal pick.

What is it? Is it some sort of bubble algae? What eats it? .

 

[Thespammailaccount]

What the crab balls is that a mat of bubble algae? I am not sure what to say but that mat is kind of cool. Nature amazes me. If it is bubble algae emerald crabs will eat it

 

[JasonK84]

Following! I don’t think it’s bubble algae but haven’t seen anything like it.

 

[b4tn]

That’s what grows on my algae scrubber screen. It’s not like any bubble algae I have ever had. The bubble algae I have dealt with is round balls usually in clusters that are easily removed. This stuff grows in individual elongated strands, is very difficult to remove, and has started working into my display.

 

[Thespammailaccount]

Found a picture of bubble algae that is elongated like yours. And this massive one!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Looks more like a strand of sea-grapes , member of caulerpa family.

 

[Sdot]

That’s what grows on my algae scrubber screen. It’s not like any bubble algae I have ever had. The bubble algae I have dealt with is round balls usually in clusters that are easily removed. This stuff grows in individual elongated strands, is very difficult to remove, and has started working into my display.

Its bubble algae for sure. becareful that stuff it horrible and spreads easily. I found vibrant will kill it though.

 

[b4tn]

I hate crabs! But I put in an order with reefcleaners for a pair of emerald crabs. I have tried them before and didn’t have much luck but I also got them from my LFS. Supposedly the emerald from reef cleaners are guaranteed to eat bubble algae so we will see. My one spot foxface used to keep the bubble algae in check but evidently doesn’t care for it anymore.

 

[b4tn]

Welp, shout out to #reefcleaners I got my emerald crabs in today. I got 2 for my 75 with lots of live rock and I floated them for about 15 minutes. I dropped them on top of my rock work and and one instantly scurried into a corner and started bearing its claws anytime my foxface swap by. The other one however went right to work. I watched him grab several bubbles and chomp away. I have not had good luck with emeralds in the past but I have also never got any from reefcleaners. They must keep these guys in tanks with nothing but bubble algae to train them to eat it. Crossing my fingers.

 

[b4tn]