The grape algae cometh

[Nanogasm]

Hi all,

I noticed yesterday a couple of small new algae clusters forming in my 24 gallon. The grape kind.. dark green spheres. I can see them now... laughing at me...

I hear these are tough to remove completely and breed like the plague. I have tried siphoning out what I have seen, but they seem to be spreading nonetheless. There are only about 5 or so a day at this point, and very small.

Is there any advice anyone can give while this is still in the early phase of propagation?

Thanks

 

[Len]

That's actually just referred to as bubble algae, Valonia (grape algae usually describes a species of Caulpera). Remove what you can by hand, and get some mithrax crabs. And try not to pop these algae underwater to minimize spores getting out. Valonia isn't a terrible algae, and it's not destructive. It's just ugly to some people.

 

[K9coral]

Sounds like you probably have it under control. Just make sure to siphon as you remove incase they pop under water spilling their "algae sperm" in the tank. As far as the mithrax crabs, Ive heard they will eat the algae but I have never seen that happen. Also, if the crab eats the algae it seems as if it would have to "pop" the bubble to eat it, spilling the spores into the tank.

 

[Nanogasm]

Thanks for the replies. I'll keep up the hand removal with siphon and see how it progresses.

I find them easier (and less likely to pop) if they have grown a little bit. However part of me wonders if this algae conforms to most other asexual organisms in that it needs to reach a certain age before it becomes sexually mature enough to produce spores. If that were the case, it would make sense to be diligent in their removal when the bubbles are small. Unfortunately I can't find anything on the net about this...

Eitherway, I did a visual looksee of my tank upon returning from work. 5 minutes of inspection shows no bubbles. I am sure there are some in there somewhere, but atleast so far this battle leans my way.

And thanks for the info on mithrax. Every day I learn more and more about this addiction, ermm... I mean hobby.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies. I'll keep up the hand removal with siphon and see how it progresses.

I find them easier (and less likely to pop) if they have grown a little bit. However part of me wonders if this algae conforms to most other asexual organisms in that it needs to reach a certain age before it becomes sexually mature enough to produce spores. If that were the case, it would make sense to be diligent in their removal when the bubbles are small. Unfortunately I can't find anything on the net about this...

Eitherway, I did a visual looksee of my tank upon returning from work. 5 minutes of inspection shows no bubbles. I am sure there are some in there somewhere, but atleast so far this battle leans my way.

And thanks for the info on mithrax. Every day I learn more and more about this addiction, ermm... I mean hobby.

You can let them get the size of 1/2" diameter balls if you want (though you probably don't want to) without much fear. They develop a fairly tough skin and twisting them off at their base should be no problem without them bursting.
btw Manual removal should suffice without involving critters that'll cause problems later on.

Regards,
David Mohr