Should I like this or hate it?

mhaze · 05/18/2018, 10:59 AM

I have been having these "red bubble algae" pop up for a while now - one every couple of months. This is by far the biggest. They do not reproduce quickly. They are red on one side with orange fluorescent spots, and whitish on the other side (see pics). They are very slimy and slippery.

What does everyone think? Should I pull them all out and stomp them, or just see what they turn into?

Subsea · 05/18/2018, 03:09 PM

It is a type of Bortacladia, Red Grapes. John at Reef Cleaners considers it undesirable. I have some in my 25 year old tank. I think they are neat looking. He calls it Red Bubble Algae.

https://www.reefcleaners.org/nuisance-algae-id-guide

mhaze · 05/18/2018, 03:16 PM

Thank you for the species ID! I like genera name much more than "Red Bubble," which was what I kept getting in my searches.

Since it grows so slowly, I'm not offended by it yet. I picked out some of the smaller ones but this huge one just fascinates me. Seems to like lower-light levels in my tank. Orange spots are so cool... Maybe I will keep it around unless it gets invasive.

I am a sucker for algae. I like it a lot.

Thanks again for response!

Subsea · 05/18/2018, 05:13 PM

You are welcome. Yes, macro algae promote stability in all of my reef tanks.

05/18/2018, 03:09 PM	#2
Subsea Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 1,882	It is a type of Bortacladia, Red Grapes. John at Reef Cleaners considers it undesirable. I have some in my 25 year old tank. I think they are neat looking. He calls it Red Bubble Algae. https://www.reefcleaners.org/nuisance-algae-id-guide __________________ Laissez les bons temps rouler, Patrick Castille Current Tank Info: 10,000G. Greenhouse Macro Growout

05/18/2018, 05:13 PM	#4
Subsea Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 1,882	You are welcome. Yes, macro algae promote stability in all of my reef tanks. __________________ Laissez les bons temps rouler, Patrick Castille Current Tank Info: 10,000G. Greenhouse Macro Growout

05/18/2018, 03:16 PM	#3
mhaze Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 47	Thank you for the species ID! I like genera name much more than "Red Bubble," which was what I kept getting in my searches. Since it grows so slowly, I'm not offended by it yet. I picked out some of the smaller ones but this huge one just fascinates me. Seems to like lower-light levels in my tank. Orange spots are so cool... Maybe I will keep it around unless it gets invasive. I am a sucker for algae. I like it a lot. Thanks again for response!