Is this grass? or algae?

[UnderWaterDiver]

Hi all,

i have this grass like stuff growing on one of my rocks, and i slowly getting more and more of it. I wonder what it is and if it is ok or if i should remove it.

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[Reefscape]

Can you provide actual photos of the subject, as we can zoom in on them and get a better look at it...

thanks

 

[UnderWaterDiver]

Hi,

Here is a picture so you can zoom in, hope it is clear enough.
So in the picture is some purple stuff and some green. Both i have no idea what it is.

 

[UnderWaterDiver]

bump.

 

[Amphiprion]

None of it is seagrass--it is all algae. Interesting ones, though.

 

[Fishfriend1]

looks like hair algae to me.

 

[Amphiprion]

No, I see at least 4 species there, none of which I usually consider to be "hair algae." Maybe brush or turf algae, but not really hair algae. Those terms are all horribly subjective, though.

 

[UnderWaterDiver]

Hi,
Thanks for the info, any names so i could look it up on internet.
Should i remove it, or what's the advice?
Or does some crab or so eat it?

Thanks all

 

[Amphiprion]

No solid names, unfortunately. My best guesses are maybe some Gelidia or Gelidiopsis species for the red, Cladophora for the green, and something else in there...

As far as what will eat it, it's hard to say. The Gelidia/Gelidiopsis is usually pretty unpalatable, as is the other. If it is spreading fast and you don't want it, I'd start manually plucking and scrubbing while simultaneously working on a way to reduce the inorganic nutrients in your tank, like phosphate and nitrate.

 

[UnderWaterDiver]

Thx Ampherion,

It grows very very slowly, my phosphate measured zero, and my Nitrate was less than 12.5. I'ts on only one rock since i bought it and it very very slowly has grown to what it is now (about 4 months). I will consider pluking it off, thx.