PDA

View Full Version : Need a fish to control Chaeto?

wfgworks
08/18/2006, 05:01 PM
I have tangs but dont seem to eat much of it.

What other fish would graze off chaeto?

Thanks
Ironsheikh
08/18/2006, 07:51 PM
just get emerald crabs --they'll decimate it
Bax
08/19/2006, 09:17 AM
My Foxface Lo gobbles the chatoe right up.
SDguy
08/19/2006, 09:42 AM
Are you sure we are talking about Chaetomorphia here? It grows as a free-floating mass, so why not just pull it out? Do you have it in your main display?
wfgworks
08/19/2006, 02:12 PM
It has started growing on my live rock. I pull some of it out but it always comes back.

I havent had much luck with a Foxface Lo and my tangs will pick at here and there but nothing significant.
Serioussnaps
08/19/2006, 05:40 PM
sounds like caulerpa not chaeto
Kent E
08/19/2006, 06:37 PM
I agree, culerpa. It can be a real problem. Get it off now.
wfgworks
08/19/2006, 10:35 PM
No its not Caulerpa as I use to have that as well but no more. This is a vine with leafs.
marine_freak
08/20/2006, 02:25 AM
I see no problem with removing cheato as it grows... and yes sometimes they will attach to live rock but not ususally, most reefers encourage growth of this algae then remove it as it grows for nutrient export... if anything it will help keep your water quality in check. Keep harvesting the algae and let it grow!!!
Bax
08/20/2006, 11:27 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7973781#post7973781 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wfgworks
No its not Caulerpa as I use to have that as well but no more. This is a vine with leafs.

That does not sound like chateomorpha (sp?) my chato looks more like a ball of steel wool woth no leave like structure at all.
ACBlinky
08/20/2006, 11:41 AM
Can you post a pic? Agree, it sounds like Caulerpa (there are quite a few types). If you're seeing a long horizontal piece with root-like attachment and 'leaves' (bubble, cup, feather, blade or another shape) growing vertically, I'd say you're looking at a Caulerpa species. Chaeto looks like steel wool, or spaghetti in a ball -- no stems, no leaves, just one looooooong thread-like piece.
wfgworks
08/20/2006, 05:48 PM
Sorry guys as I must have confused myself with which species of algea I'm dealing with. I will take a picture so someone can confirm what I have.
wfgworks
08/20/2006, 06:04 PM
What I have is in the far right and the species according to the picture is Caulerpa Sertularioides aka Feather Algea.

http://www.liveplants.gulf-coast.net/macroalgae.htm


So what eats it?
Bax
08/20/2006, 06:12 PM
I had this all over my TBS LR when I set up my 26 bow.

The best critter for eating it was my hermits.

I got rid of it by harvesting religiously, letting the hermits work, and removing the stubborn pieces and scraping it off.

Took a while, be patient!
wfgworks
08/20/2006, 06:19 PM
Thanks Bax.

Over the past 3 years, I have gone through different stages of algea. First was the hair algea, than the grape caulerpa, and now this stuff. When does it end.......

Do any of the rabbitfish on the site below tend to graze on algea more than another? I have had a foxface but no luck with that species in my tank.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/scateg.cfm?pCatId=1465