bubble algae

Charles · 09-22-2005, 08:51 AM

Hi to everyone. What should I do to remove bubble algae? Can hermit crabs and emerald crab helps? What other inverts will help eradicate bubbles?

tims · 09-22-2005, 09:03 AM

emerald crabs are about the main eaters of it. but if the bubbles are ona piece of LR that you can remove from the ank to clean off , that is the safest route to go.

most of the time the Bubble algae will be pretty hard until it is ready to go sexual and spread. rinsing over the lr in a bucket many ties to make sure everyhting is off ot it will help make sure you dont add any back to the tank..
good luck

mg · 09-22-2005, 09:08 AM

Manual removal is the only fail safe method. Another option that I have heard success is red sea sailfin tangs.

Charles · 09-22-2005, 09:10 AM

thanks Tim, I read emerald crab can also eat your corals? Is it true?

wharyat · 09-22-2005, 09:16 AM

In some cases, make sure to either take them out after they've completed the job or deal with the risk of coral consumption. I had one in my 20 and he never touched anything of value.

tims · 09-22-2005, 09:17 AM

i personaly have never seen this, but crabs are oportunistic feeders.. they will eat anthing they think they can catch including sleeping fish..

i belive a lot of times what looks like the crab eatting corals or certain types maybe the crab itself picking at or around the coral to eat some of the filament algae on it or near it. bti crabs will go after whatever they think tastes good.maybe that is you bubble algae or your nice new zoa's...

Charles · 09-22-2005, 09:34 AM

Well I think based on everybody's recommendation , the safest way is to manually remove it. Thanks everybody for all your advice.

Loverotties · 09-22-2005, 04:41 PM

Yep you got it Charles!