Green Bubble algae

[Candyman]

I believe I have green bubble algae. What creature can I buy besides emerald crabs? Will peppermint shrimp eat the bubbles?

[FishDaddy]

Bill,
That is also my understanding that the spores do not develop until the bubble matures... trouble is, I don't know when that happens!
Dick

[Doug1]

No the chance that peppermint shrimp L wurdmanii will consume valonia are small, even the oft touted mitrax or emerald crabs are not a sure bet. Other possible Valonia grazers include the Foxface(Lo volpina) and sailfin tangs (veliferum and or desjardanii)
though again its real iffy and then you have the caveats that come with tangs. The foxfce is related to the tangs and usually a bit easier to keep but they are large fish and not suitable for small tanks.
Valonia thrive when the nutrient levels support them, introducing a more sesirable macro algae may reduce the valonia be denying them food, but this is a long term thing and only part of the solution.
The mithrax seem to be the best solution but thay arent 100% guarenteed and being crabs they can turn to other reef inhabitants for food

[FishDaddy]

Candyman,
There are several types of "bubble algae". The main problem with them is that they can grow fast and spread, particularly if high nitrates or phosphates present.

This one is Valonia ventricosa, which may appear as single globes and then grow into clusters. These can get quite large. Sometimes you can remove them with your fingers but be careful not to break the shell so as not to spread the spores.

Another view:


Valonia aegagropila usually appears as small sausage shaped bubbles in tight clusters. These can sometimes be easily peeled off.
V. aegogropila:


Sometimes Caulerpa racemosa is mistaken for Valonia. This is not harmful but does grow quickly and may need to be pruned.
C. racemosa:


Here is a site with good algae info: http://128.171.207.10/ReefAlgae/default.htm

An Emerald Crab (Mithrax sculptus) is about the only effective Valonia eater I know of. Individuals may vary in their appetite for Valonia and some vendors mistakenly ID other similar crabs as M. sculptus. I had V. aegagropila in my 55 and got a Mithrax. The first one virtually ignored the bubbles but did take a liking to my Coralline! I got another and this one (still in the tank) went right to work and wiped out the Valonia. He is a neat critter to watch.
HTH
Dick

[ 03-03-2001: Message edited by: FishDaddy ]

[bill-e]

Sometimes you can remove them with your fingers but be careful not to break the shell so as not to spread the spores.

I's my understanding that you can pop them, and I do and am not infested. What you wont want to happen is for them to get "ripe" and burst on their own...then the spores are fertile (or mature).

After all, even a mithrax crab has to break the outer shell.

[Pikaboo]

Hmmmm.. those darn bubble algea again. I've never tried this.... so I'm gonna throw this idea out there and you guys can comment if you think it'll work or not. What if you pop it... and have a really really good skimmer? Would the "seeds" get skimmed out?

[Garee]

You know, I never had any luck with the emeralds. Tried just about everything until I got a Foxface. The Foxface took care of the problem in <1 month. Note: The tank had a severe outbreak of Valonia algae.