Asparagopsis Taxiformis, aka Red Fuzz/Cotton Algae

Let tackle this subject, fragditphiles.

It seems that more than a few people have had this type of algae. It looks like a red form of hair alage. Many are unsucessfull removing it from their tanks, as they are known to infest. Now it is my turn to document if I can eradicate this known pest.

Asparagopsis taxiformis is typically introduced into aquariums attached to the substrate of coral specimens. Cured or uncured live rock does not seem to harbor these algae, suggesting that it is not usually associated with fish only tanks but rather reef aquaria. It initially appears as small tuffs or balls growing to about one inch in diameter. They are soft to the touch and are comprised of thin, segmented threads that break apart easily. Once present, this insidious alga usually spreads quite rapidly. It is often epiphytic and will attach to almost any available surface including the fronds of macro-algae, sand, coralline covered rocks, and even corals where any skeletal portion is exposed. Fortunately this alga does not cause direct harm to corals resulting from any chemical secretions or allelopathy. It will however shade corals and also create a barrier that prevents coral tissue from exposure to passive water flow. Both of these events ultimately produce ill effects on corals.

The first line of defense is prevention. Carefully inspect the substrate of new corals and even live rock for signs of the red hair algae. Consider placing new specimens in a quarantine tank for the first one to two weeks. Not only will this quarantine period reveal the unwanted algae but it will also allow time for the coral to be monitored, feed, and given a period to adapt to captive conditions. Unfortunately for the reef aquarist the most common herbivores offered for sale do not rapidly consume this algae. A number of algae eating fish and invertebrates were rotated through a large tank with an outbreak of Asparagopsis taxiformis. These included the rabbitfishes Foxface (Lo vulpinus), and Gold-saddle (Siganus guttatus), Yellow Tangs (Acanthurus flavescens), Desjardini Tang (Zebrasoma desjardinii), the Lawnmower Blenny (Salaris fasiatus), and a number of invertebrates such as the Sally Lightfoot Crab (Percnon gibbesi), Emerald Crab (Mithraculus sculptus), Blue leg reef hermit (Clibanarius tricolor), Red leg reef hermit (Calcinus tibicen), a Sea hare (Elysia sp.), and a variety of snails from the Atlantic. None of these animals were observed to consume enough of the algae to overcome its prolific growth.

The rest of the information on this algae can be found on AquaticTouch.com.

First step was to introduce Mexican Turbo Snails (Turbo fluctuosus). They have been known to eat away at this algae like it was going out of style. I did notice patches of it going away, but the snails are eathing it much slower that it is growing. What I will have to try is if Long Spined Urchins are able to move quicker than these snails. Also, I will check where my magnesium and phosphates are. I might need to tweakMg, and run the phosphate remover.

I will keep updating you all on how it goes, and if successfull, I will write up a guide on how to get rid of them.