Awesome algae! What is this?

[MrClockOff]

Hi all

Recently I’ve noticed strange spiky hedgehogs alike algae growing on my bogwood. It definitely loves the light but not sure if the colouration is green because of dust algae over it? Looks awesome and I wonder what is that and how to keep it alive? See the pictures

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

Looks awesome and I wonder what is that and how to keep it alive?

It does look awesome, but I have absolutely no idea what it is.

I'm pretty sure I've never seen anything quite like that. The chantransia form of Montagnia macrospora (a red algae) possibly look closest <"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/edn3.139">.

but not sure if the colouration is green because of dust algae over it?

I like the back-ground <"green patina"> as well.

cheers Darrel

 

[MrClockOff]

A little more development here. It’s getting better 😁

 

[Gill]

Could it be some form of freshwater sponge, doesn't look like algae to me. to rounded tips

 

[G H Nelson]

Nitella?

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

It’s getting better

It is just gorgeous.

Could it be some form of freshwater sponge,

I wondered about that, but I couldn't find anything suitable. I've seen <"Spongilla lacustris - Wikipedia"> which is the right colour, but not the right shape.

doesn't look like algae to me. to rounded tips

It appears to show dichotomous branching, so possibly a Liverwort? or a Lichen, pretty sure I've never seen an aquatic one of either that looks anything like that.

Nitella?

I don't think so, but it has to be a possibility <"Nitella – microscopesandmonsters">.

cheers Darrel

 

[hydrophyte]

I wonder if this might be a very small leafy/scaly Liverwort. I have seen some develop in terrariums with such a fine texture they looked more like Green Algae.

 

[Andy Pierce]

Riccia fluitans?

 

[Bradders]

It certainly is an attractive form of algae!

 

[MrClockOff]

Love the way it’s waving in the flow 🥰
Texture is very soft and when it’s out of water looks like jelly ball. It grows from 1mm spot and branches into 1 - 2cm ball.

 

[Maf 2500]

Love the way it’s waving in the flow 🥰
Texture is very soft and when it’s out of water looks like jelly ball.

Looks great! Is this stuff still going, or did it boom and bust?

 

[MrClockOff]

Looks great! Is this stuff still going, or did it boom and bust?

Yep, like you said. It started slowly detaching from the wood and floating all over the place. So had to replace it with moss 😁 Eventually plants won!

 

[Connswater]

A cute little bladder snail in my tank needs a friend to groom it, clearly they are not social like Chimpanzees. Does nice fresh grass green algae indicate good water conditions or not? Actually, I think I know the answer but no award for me for a super pristine aquascape.

 

[megwattscreative]

I think he looks fantastic and I would love to use his hairdresser. Go on, don't be shy... post a full tank shot 🙂

 

[Connswater]

a full tank shot

If only I had aquascaping skills, I just grow a jumble of plants.

 

[Bradders]

If only I had aquascaping skills, I just grow a jumble of plants.

How did you persuade the fish to pose at the same angle as the wood? 🙂

 

[Connswater]

I think he looks fantastic and I would love to use his hairdresser. Go on, don't be shy... post a full tank shot 🙂

Having been induced to share my ludicrously overgrown tank, I felt obliged to do a make-over, the public humiliation! Now of course the temporary bits of kit to filter and to keep my beloved black mollies healthy are fully visible. But Hopefully some kind person will say that a bit of open space and some botanical bits and pieces - collected locally, the wood soaked for a year in my garden water butt - has improved the aesthetics, at least temporarily. And there of course will be growth to fill in - huge amounts of material now on the compost bin. I am feeling a tad insecure, 55 years in the hobby, but I suppose that is how we get better being encouraged by those who win competitions and those who ask to see evidence of what we say. Tom Ryan will not be jealous, but there we are, silly me.

 

[Connswater]

Thanks Bradders, since it is 'show and tell' here, you might like a peek behind the scenes. Note the bog standard lights and the silly number of filters to ensure good flow, some are temporary.

 

[megwattscreative]

I think it's gorgeous @Connswater ! I love unmanicured/"messy" tanks - I mean both as a compliment. Botanicals and a natural feeling are excellent in my book 🙂