what will eat this red turf algae?
 

http://members.shaw.ca/limestone2/redturf01.jpg

This stuff is taking over my tank.. Hermits and snails are not quite cutting it. I have heard turbo snails and some urchins will take care of it? Has anyone else battled with this same algae?

I bet my tangs would eat it. Bring some over and we can try it.

That's my sailfin tangs favorite!

My purple sailfin takes care of just about any caulerpa types I have. I can't tell by the picture if its anything I've dealt with though. Is there a way to try samples with other fish or inverts in other tanks without risking spreading it on?

Brings back memories of a show on Discovery about a problem algae (some type of caulerpa I think) that is taking over the seas around France and area. Smothering everthing without a consumer. Some were speculating it was introduced from a public aquarium. Underwater filming showed nothing but a feather like caulerpa everywere.

I guess this has nothing to do with your post and I am of no help. There's my zero cents.

Caulerpa taxifolia. I think a lot of us have it in our 'fuges.

Tripneustes sp. did wonders on that red turf algae for me Adam.

Steve

Steve are you talking about a tuxedo urchin. Are they bad for knocking down live rock? I have a pencil urchin that my wife calls the wrecking ball just for that reason. It is no longer in the reef tank.

nope, the tuxedo is a Mespilia globulus. I have heard that the tuxedo eats a lot of coraline weather this is bad or not who knows as tyhe one I got removes the coralin with the algae also. hasn't knocked anything much over, on the other hand the black spiny one I got by mistake has destroyed the rock in the mantis tank :eek:

this is the one I am talking about
http://www.jlaquatics.com/cgi-bin/sh...logno=i-ucolor

Steve

Hey guys, thanks for the replies.. Yes it looks more like a type of thin caulerpa sp. then red turf.. My scopas tang is not touching it.

The tuxedo urchin doesn't do any significant coraline damage in my 155g, except keep it off the glass and on the rock where it belongs..... :lol: