Dominican Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 Anyone know what these little guys are? I stare into my tank incessantly, and was very surprised to just notice them. Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+o0zarkawater Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 https://reefs.com/magazine/a-look-at-the-macroalgae-caulerpa/ Of some sort Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dominican Posted October 31, 2018 Author Share Posted October 31, 2018 https://reefs.com/magazine/a-look-at-the-macroalgae-caulerpa/ Of some sortIf so, it doesn't sound like something I'd want to let take root.. Hmm. Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sascha D. Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 +1 looks like Feather Caulerpa to me. You can read about them at Marine Plant Book. I used that site a lot when I was doing lagoons and the information is accurate, as far as I can tell. IMHO you need to control it now because it's very invasive. Caulerpa Mexicana Caulerpa Sertulariodes Caulerpa Taxifolia 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dominican Posted October 31, 2018 Author Share Posted October 31, 2018 Thanks Sascha. I can't take chances at this stage, so I might go nuclear and just replace the rock. Such a shame it's a big, unique piece of Fiji, but you've gotta do what you've gotta do. Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sascha D. Posted October 31, 2018 Share Posted October 31, 2018 Caulerpa reproduces by going sexual and releasing spores. The spores then attach themselves to surfaces and can live for a long time without germinating. You could remove the rock, but that doesn't mean there aren't more spores on other rocks or within the tank. Caulerpa is also known to grow in the silicone seams and on or around equipment. The same property makes fighting Valonia very difficult and people often have to nuke their live rock to get rid of the plague. If it were me, then I would start with manual removal. This type of macroalgae attaches to the LR using a root structure and you can scrape it off easily. Try to get all of the roots if you can. It's easily controlled as long as you don't let it go sexual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dominican Posted November 1, 2018 Author Share Posted November 1, 2018 Ugh.. that's pretty disconcerting.It's interesting. They turned white overnight. Hoping they've died. There were some changes in conditions in that area associated with a fish cage I'd put in the tank for a couple of weeks to isolate an aggressive tang. But I just removed it the day before they turned white. That's a complete stretch, so not getting my hopes up in any way.Not seeing them anywhere else in the tank so I'm still planning to replace the piece of LR if possible. Can't mess with it until Friday though. Might physically pull the bits I see tonight though.Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dominican Posted November 2, 2018 Author Share Posted November 2, 2018 Got them out. I was sooo dreading the disruption to the tank, the nutrients released by the sand bed, the broken SPS.. This small rock lifted right out [emoji106][emoji41]Now to see if they pop up anywhere else [emoji15]Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jolt Posted November 2, 2018 Share Posted November 2, 2018 It's like a little mini garden! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dominican Posted November 2, 2018 Author Share Posted November 2, 2018 Right?! They're cute. It's too bad they're a scourge. They actually gave me a nightmare last night haha. I absolutely could not believe my luck that this was such a small piece of LR. Not counting my blessings just yet! Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sascha D. Posted November 3, 2018 Share Posted November 3, 2018 Awesome! Have to be thankful for little blessings. We don't always get so lucky in this hobby. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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