Help! rotting caulerpa killing fish.

[todd22]

Today I lost a fish that has been in my tank for over a year now and endured many changes. Also my two little clowns have spots on them now. I found the source of a pungent stench today from rotting caulerpa. I think this Is what caused the dead fish and the sick clowns. I removed the caulerpa tonight and put the skimmer to the max flow. Any ideas of what this could be that is effecting my clowns (they have small black blotches on them, doesnt look like Ich) or any insight on a similar case. Please any info on this subject and on caulerpa necessities would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Jase]

Caleurpa needs to be pruned on a regular basis to prevent it from sporulating (it releases everything in its tissue) Trim it back every couple of weeks.

 

[JennM]

Have you tested your water parameters? That will tell you if something is going on.

You say your caulerpa is "rotting" then you should be registering nitrates at the very least, and possibly ammonia and nitrite.

Pruning caulerpa reguarly is a must. If it goes sexual, it usually clouds the water, but fresh carbon and a poly filter and maxing your skimmer should fix that without any trouble, IF you remove the dead caulerpa.

Please post your water parameters, you might have more going on than you realize.

Jenn

 

[esmithiii]

My LOA fixture went out on me once and I didn't catch it until 3/4 my caulerpa had died. I didn't have any problems, though.

E

 

[todd22]

I have not tested parameters yet but I do know that the caulerpa smelled like a dead body and raised my tank tempature to almost 86deg. I would consider this rotting. Well anyways my main concern is how caulerpa should be kept (e.g. flow rate, lighting, flow direction) and if anyone has had a similar experience to give me an Idea what could result from this.

Thx for the replies and I will check out water conditions and an upgrade of my crude refugium this weekend.

 

[mweber]

It doesn't like reduction in light. I had mine lit 24/7. When I cut back to 16/7 it all fell apart and disolved (went sexual).

 

[dattack]

So my refugium with the caulerpa and macroalgae should be on 24/7?