Cyano not actually cyano?

[thecichlidpleco]

In evolution class, talking about basics that may or may not have started the formation of carbs, amino acids, whatnot. And mentioned were many cyano compounds with cyanobacteria being the largest at above .5 micrometers. And being the professor is a microbiologist, I asked him about ridding my tank of a cyano problem, and he said that the cyano I have being red/purple is not most likely cyano, because cyanobacteria is usually green, and mine is most likely a bacteria called purple sulfur bacteria and found in aerobic aquatic environments. Being that he most likely knows little of saltwater hobby, what do you guys think? I have never heard cyanobacteria called any other name besides red slime, are we mis-labeling it?

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I am by no means an expert on cyanobacteria, but there are many biochemists and biologists over the years who do seem to believe that these are cyano. Cyano do come in many colors, as mentioned in this wiki article:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyanobacteria

here are some scientific links to articles on red marine cyanobacteria:

http://www.springerlink.com/content/j5373061m38164pp/

[bertoni]

Thanks for the links!

Sounds like an interesting project for someone with a microscope and some time...