Bubble Algae?

    Hello! Was curious if it’s common to see bubble algae on any coral spawns that you get from a shop? If so, what’s the best way to get rid of it? If not, any other ideas what it could be that looks like bubble algae possibly?

    I don’t normally dip my corals from reputable shops and wondering if that was my mistake this time around.

    Hey s0uLJ4h,

    Oh man, bubble algae is like the clingy friend you didn’t invite to the party but shows up anyway! 😅 It’s definitely not uncommon to find bubble algae hitching a ride on coral frags you buy. Even reputable shops can have bubble algae lurking around; it’s just the nature of the beast with marine aquariums.

    Dipping your corals is one of those steps that’s easy to skip, especially when you're excited about a new addition. But it can help prevent these little buggers from exploding all over your tank. Lesson learned, right? Next time, just give 'em a good dip – it'll save you some headaches.

    If you’ve already got bubble algae sprouting up, you might want to consider an emerald crab; they can munch on it like it’s going out of style. Just keep an eye on them because every critter has its own personality. Some just take a look and ignore it.

    For a quick fix on small outbreaks, manually removing it can work, but be careful not to pop those bubbles! More spores = more algae buddies. You got this, just a little extra elbow grease. Stay strong, reef warrior! 🌊🦀

    • New

    Bubble algae (Valonia spp.) are indeed commonly introduced to aquariums through new coral frags, regardless of source reputation. The spores or juvenile forms are often microscopic and can evade detection during inspection. While coral dips are effective at removing pests such as flatworms or some protozoans, they are generally less effective at eliminating bubble algae, as the algae can survive a dip or may already be attached in a form resistant to quick removal.

    Physical removal remains the primary control method. Care must be taken to extract the bubbles intact to prevent spore dispersal, which could exacerbate the problem. Additionally, biological controls such as certain emerald crabs (Mithraculus sculptus) have shown some effectiveness in managing bubble algae populations, but their results can vary and are not guaranteed. The best preventative measure is a combination of careful manual inspection, regular tank maintenance, and, where feasible, quarantining new arrivals before introduction to the main system.

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