Looks like hair on my coral?

carlykush · Feb 8, 2024

I’ve only had these Zoas for about two weeks I’d say and I noticed two days ago that there is a hair-like thing growing out of two of them. We bought 3 frags and only 2 are affected. The two affected are right by each other (view video) and the other frag is on the opposite side of the tank. I have a 75 gallon tank using the Fluval Sealight light. What is this and should I be concerned? (This is my first reef tank so I’m not the most experienced!)

Mikeltee · Feb 8, 2024

It's probably hair Algae. I wouldn't buy anything else. Your rock looks like you just started the tank this week. Has it even cycled yet?

carlykush · Feb 8, 2024

Mikeltee said:
It's probably hair Algae. I wouldn't buy anything else. Your rock looks like you just started the tank this week. Has it even cycled yet?

Yes however that piece of rock IS indeed new. We added more in when we got the coral. Tank was cycled for 3 weeks. That is probably the only piece of rock not covered in diatoms actually lol

Mikeltee · Feb 8, 2024

The one frag might be briopsis...

Macbalacano · Feb 8, 2024

It appears to be some sort of Algae. I would just pluck the algae off with tweezers or brush it off gently without scratching the zoa heads.

carlykush · Feb 8, 2024

Mikeltee said:
It's probably hair Algae. I wouldn't buy anything else. Your rock looks like you just started the tank this week. Has it even cycled yet?

I don’t plan on adding anything new for awhile until we figure out how to fix the issue at hand.

carlykush · Feb 8, 2024

Macbalacano said:
It appears to be some sort of Algae. I would just pluck the algae off with tweezers or brush it off gently without scratching the zoa heads.

Should I treat the tank with anything?

Mikeltee · Feb 8, 2024

Cool. Just chill for a few months before adding anything else. A clean up crew would just die. You can scrub the frags once a week with a toothbrush to keep it down. Or just pick it off with your fingers.