Worldwide incation of Caulerpa Taxifolia invading the wild , is too toxic for fish and urchins to eat and live on

[Wolf]

http://www.ridnis.ucdavis.edu/Caulerpataxifolia.html
im watching a special right now on NOVA, KCET. hope this answers some
questions for all. it seems that the algae dubbed "Killer Alage" that has
taken over the Mediterranian and found also in some parts of California now
is a marine tank hybrid that has been released into the wild, accidentaly or
otherwise relys on a single toxin that is in high dosages that the fish dont
like. It is commonly found in marine tanks and i think its invading my tank
as well. SO i guess we cant rely on and fish or urchins to control it. It
spreads via gametes about 5 microns in size. It seems that it spreads by
vegatative reproduction through self cloning rather than sexual
reproduction. They have found this to be true because no female gametes
could be found, only males. It can take only a tiny fragment picked up by
an anchor of a ship to start a new colony hundreds of miles away. it went
from Monaco, to Italy, to Croatia, throughout the Med, its spreading
worldwide.
This is an atrificial strain bred by humans for decorative uses. It is
taking over all our beautiful reefs and leaving no fish, and no life behind!
They thought it could have came from the Monaco oceanographical Museum, as
it was directly above the first known site of contamination. I have been to
this beautiful meseum, it preserves alot of sea life. I was there when
Jacques Cousteau ran it, but during that time it may have been the time of
accidental release, but they deny this. Either way, Jacques has done a
world of good for Marine research. When Jacques found out, he later told the
French Environmantal Research that is of great concern, but the French
Research thought it would be a waste of money at that time. . The temp is
from 20deg celcius to 13deg celcius in winter.
Then they traced the plant all the way to Stuttgart Shoreline, and found
some in the Stuttgart aquarium that flourished so rapidly, a species that
had came from the Pacific.

in July 200 was found in coastal lagoon in southern california. could have
been as easy as cleaning aquarium in front yard they say, and it may have
floated down gutter into storm drain.

Hypotheses 1.
someone selected an exceptionally cold resistant strain somewhere and bred
it in stuttgart back in 1970's from the wild

Hypotheses 2
someone bred it in the aquarium at stuttgart and through normal aquarium
lights and addition of standardchemicals genetic change occured

It is now a global problem

They have enacted a radial plan of eradication using chlorine covering the
chlorine with a tarpauline which kills everything, its a price we are
willing to pay so our whole coastline isnt smothered by this algae.
The solution seems to be working, by 2003 no new algae growth has been
found, in California atleast.In the Medeterranian however, the algae has
won, its growth is too large. Some places in france they will have to pull
it out by hand if it reaches some reef areas.

There is a tiny tropical slug that eats this algae. It feeds exclusivly on
caulerpa. This slug seems to be proliferating in the medeterranian, it
produces an enzyme that neutralizes the toxins in its digestive system.
They eat it by sucking out the juices. They are thinking of realising
thousands of these slugs to slow down the spread. But alot of study needs
to be done. It would be adding another alien species into the sea. But it
seems its safe because it ONLY eats caulerpa. a problem it this slug cant
live in deeper waters, so World Scientists are called upon to find on that
lives in deeper waters than can eat this strain.

Australia is also under attack. They tried huge amounts of salt, which
worked but they say theres not enough salt in the world to finish the job,
and they tried copper sulfate but that was too controversial. They have to
now rely on hand picking. You are right Mark! haha. Hand pick!

The dangerous plant now grows in 9 countries on 4 continents, and the
problem is entirely man made. Improper disposal can start a whole new
problem and a new invasion.

Be CAREFUL GUYS!

[Marc Levenson]

This is the slug that eats caulerpa.

http://melevsreef.com/id/sacoglossa.html

Marc


Wolf wrote:
> http://www.ridnis.ucdavis.edu/Caulerpataxifolia.html
> im watching a special right now on NOVA, KCET. hope this answers some
> questions for all. it seems that the algae dubbed "Killer Alage" that has
> taken over the Mediterranian and found also in some parts of California now
> is a marine tank hybrid that has been released into the wild, accidentaly or
> otherwise relys on a single toxin that is in high dosages that the fish dont
> like. It is commonly found in marine tanks and i think its invading my tank
> as well. SO i guess we cant rely on and fish or urchins to control it. It
> spreads via gametes about 5 microns in size. It seems that it spreads by
> vegatative reproduction through self cloning rather than sexual
> reproduction. They have found this to be true because no female gametes
> could be found, only males. It can take only a tiny fragment picked up by
> an anchor of a ship to start a new colony hundreds of miles away. it went
> from Monaco, to Italy, to Croatia, throughout the Med, its spreading
> worldwide.
> This is an atrificial strain bred by humans for decorative uses. It is
> taking over all our beautiful reefs and leaving no fish, and no life behind!
> They thought it could have came from the Monaco oceanographical Museum, as
> it was directly above the first known site of contamination. I have been to
> this beautiful meseum, it preserves alot of sea life. I was there when
> Jacques Cousteau ran it, but during that time it may have been the time of
> accidental release, but they deny this. Either way, Jacques has done a
> world of good for Marine research. When Jacques found out, he later told the
> French Environmantal Research that is of great concern, but the French
> Research thought it would be a waste of money at that time. . The temp is
> from 20deg celcius to 13deg celcius in winter.
> Then they traced the plant all the way to Stuttgart Shoreline, and found
> some in the Stuttgart aquarium that flourished so rapidly, a species that
> had came from the Pacific.
>
> in July 200 was found in coastal lagoon in southern california. could have
> been as easy as cleaning aquarium in front yard they say, and it may have
> floated down gutter into storm drain.
>
> Hypotheses 1.
> someone selected an exceptionally cold resistant strain somewhere and bred
> it in stuttgart back in 1970's from the wild
>
> Hypotheses 2
> someone bred it in the aquarium at stuttgart and through normal aquarium
> lights and addition of standardchemicals genetic change occured
>
> It is now a global problem
>
> They have enacted a radial plan of eradication using chlorine covering the
> chlorine with a tarpauline which kills everything, its a price we are
> willing to pay so our whole coastline isnt smothered by this algae.
> The solution seems to be working, by 2003 no new algae growth has been
> found, in California atleast.In the Medeterranian however, the algae has
> won, its growth is too large. Some places in france they will have to pull
> it out by hand if it reaches some reef areas.
>
> There is a tiny tropical slug that eats this algae. It feeds exclusivly on
> caulerpa. This slug seems to be proliferating in the medeterranian, it
> produces an enzyme that neutralizes the toxins in its digestive system.
> They eat it by sucking out the juices. They are thinking of realising
> thousands of these slugs to slow down the spread. But alot of study needs
> to be done. It would be adding another alien species into the sea. But it
> seems its safe because it ONLY eats caulerpa. a problem it this slug cant
> live in deeper waters, so World Scientists are called upon to find on that
> lives in deeper waters than can eat this strain.
>
> Australia is also under attack. They tried huge amounts of salt, which
> worked but they say theres not enough salt in the world to finish the job,
> and they tried copper sulfate but that was too controversial. They have to
> now rely on hand picking. You are right Mark! haha. Hand pick!
>
> The dangerous plant now grows in 9 countries on 4 continents, and the
> problem is entirely man made. Improper disposal can start a whole new
> problem and a new invasion.
>
> Be CAREFUL GUYS!
>
>

--
Personal Page:
http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Richard Reynolds]

> found also in some parts of California now
<snip>
> in July 200 was found in coastal lagoon in southern california. could
have
> been as easy as cleaning aquarium in front yard they say, and it may have
> floated down gutter into storm drain.

im fairly certain that aquarium sources have been completely ruled out, at
least for the california location. something about boats and such.

but that didnt stop or most unfavorite gov. from passing a law to make it
illegal :D

> They have enacted a radial plan of eradication using chlorine covering the
> chlorine with a tarpauline which kills everything, its a price we are
> willing to pay so our whole coastline isnt smothered by this algae.
> The solution seems to be working, by 2003 no new algae growth has been
> found, in California atleast.In the Medeterranian however, the algae has
> won, its growth is too large. Some places in france they will have to
pull
> it out by hand if it reaches some reef areas.

in SoCal it wasnt a reef, it was far from a reef, though things probibly
died, they have been replaced over and over.


Richard Reynolds

[Wolf]

Excellent Marc! thats the one i saw too. it sucks the juices out of the
plant. Very good for keeping the caulerpa in check, in the ocean atleast,
in the refugium however, doesnt look safe! lol.

Thanks for pulling that up, your a wealth of good information!

wolf

"Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
. com...
> This is the slug that eats caulerpa.
>
> http://melevsreef.com/id/sacoglossa.html
>
> Marc
>
>
> Wolf wrote:
>> http://www.ridnis.ucdavis.edu/Caulerpataxifolia.html
>> im watching a special right now on NOVA, KCET. hope this answers some
>> questions for all. it seems that the algae dubbed "Killer Alage" that
>> has taken over the Mediterranian and found also in some parts of
>> California now is a marine tank hybrid that has been released into the
>> wild, accidentaly or otherwise relys on a single toxin that is in high
>> dosages that the fish dont like. It is commonly found in marine tanks
>> and i think its invading my tank as well. SO i guess we cant rely on and
>> fish or urchins to control it. It spreads via gametes about 5 microns in
>> size. It seems that it spreads by vegatative reproduction through self
>> cloning rather than sexual reproduction. They have found this to be true
>> because no female gametes could be found, only males. It can take only a
>> tiny fragment picked up by an anchor of a ship to start a new colony
>> hundreds of miles away. it went from Monaco, to Italy, to Croatia,
>> throughout the Med, its spreading worldwide.
>> This is an atrificial strain bred by humans for decorative uses. It is
>> taking over all our beautiful reefs and leaving no fish, and no life
>> behind! They thought it could have came from the Monaco oceanographical
>> Museum, as it was directly above the first known site of contamination.
>> I have been to this beautiful meseum, it preserves alot of sea life. I
>> was there when Jacques Cousteau ran it, but during that time it may have
>> been the time of accidental release, but they deny this. Either way,
>> Jacques has done a world of good for Marine research. When Jacques found
>> out, he later told the French Environmantal Research that is of great
>> concern, but the French Research thought it would be a waste of money at
>> that time. . The temp is from 20deg celcius to 13deg celcius in winter.
>> Then they traced the plant all the way to Stuttgart Shoreline, and found
>> some in the Stuttgart aquarium that flourished so rapidly, a species that
>> had came from the Pacific.
>>
>> in July 200 was found in coastal lagoon in southern california. could
>> have been as easy as cleaning aquarium in front yard they say, and it may
>> have floated down gutter into storm drain.
>>
>> Hypotheses 1.
>> someone selected an exceptionally cold resistant strain somewhere and
>> bred it in stuttgart back in 1970's from the wild
>>
>> Hypotheses 2
>> someone bred it in the aquarium at stuttgart and through normal aquarium
>> lights and addition of standardchemicals genetic change occured
>>
>> It is now a global problem
>>
>> They have enacted a radial plan of eradication using chlorine covering
>> the chlorine with a tarpauline which kills everything, its a price we are
>> willing to pay so our whole coastline isnt smothered by this algae.
>> The solution seems to be working, by 2003 no new algae growth has been
>> found, in California atleast.In the Medeterranian however, the algae has
>> won, its growth is too large. Some places in france they will have to
>> pull it out by hand if it reaches some reef areas.
>>
>> There is a tiny tropical slug that eats this algae. It feeds exclusivly
>> on caulerpa. This slug seems to be proliferating in the medeterranian,
>> it produces an enzyme that neutralizes the toxins in its digestive
>> system. They eat it by sucking out the juices. They are thinking of
>> realising thousands of these slugs to slow down the spread. But alot of
>> study needs to be done. It would be adding another alien species into
>> the sea. But it seems its safe because it ONLY eats caulerpa. a problem
>> it this slug cant live in deeper waters, so World Scientists are called
>> upon to find on that lives in deeper waters than can eat this strain.
>>
>> Australia is also under attack. They tried huge amounts of salt, which
>> worked but they say theres not enough salt in the world to finish the
>> job, and they tried copper sulfate but that was too controversial. They
>> have to now rely on hand picking. You are right Mark! haha. Hand pick!
>>
>> The dangerous plant now grows in 9 countries on 4 continents, and the
>> problem is entirely man made. Improper disposal can start a whole new
>> problem and a new invasion.
>>
>> Be CAREFUL GUYS!
>
> --
> Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
>

[Marc Levenson]

Thanks Wolf. I spent many many hours lying on my belly
watching that slug eat or travel on the caulerpa in my
refugium. It was very pretty to look at, but a problem for
my macro algae. I gave it back to the LFS, who thought I
was being rediculous. Of course, with my having to buy new
macro every month, why would he want me to get rid of it? ;)

Marc


Wolf wrote:

> Excellent Marc! thats the one i saw too. it sucks the juices out of the
> plant. Very good for keeping the caulerpa in check, in the ocean atleast,
> in the refugium however, doesnt look safe! lol.
>
> Thanks for pulling that up, your a wealth of good information!
>
> wolf
>
> "Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
> . com...
>
>>This is the slug that eats caulerpa.
>>
>>http://melevsreef.com/id/sacoglossa.html
>>
>>Marc


--
Personal Page:
http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Wolf]

Smart, then the slug did its job, and it lived to get more jobs. I would
have done the same, its kind of a recycleable invincible slug, lol.

Does this thing work on micro algae? Meaning Hair algae etc..?

Wolf

"Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
m...
> Thanks Wolf. I spent many many hours lying on my belly watching that slug
> eat or travel on the caulerpa in my refugium. It was very pretty to look
> at, but a problem for my macro algae. I gave it back to the LFS, who
> thought I was being rediculous. Of course, with my having to buy new
> macro every month, why would he want me to get rid of it? ;)
>
> Marc
>
>
> Wolf wrote:
>
>> Excellent Marc! thats the one i saw too. it sucks the juices out of the
>> plant. Very good for keeping the caulerpa in check, in the ocean
>> atleast, in the refugium however, doesnt look safe! lol.
>>
>> Thanks for pulling that up, your a wealth of good information!
>>
>> wolf
>>
>> "Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
>> . com...
>>
>>>This is the slug that eats caulerpa.
>>>
>>>http://melevsreef.com/id/sacoglossa.html
>>>
>>>Marc
>
>
> --
> Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
>

[Marc Levenson]

No, it is a caulerpa gourmet, and its palate won't be
tainted by GHA!

Marc ;)


Wolf wrote:
> Smart, then the slug did its job, and it lived to get more jobs. I would
> have done the same, its kind of a recycleable invincible slug, lol.
>
> Does this thing work on micro algae? Meaning Hair algae etc..?
>
> Wolf
>
> "Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
> m...
>
>>Thanks Wolf. I spent many many hours lying on my belly watching that slug
>>eat or travel on the caulerpa in my refugium. It was very pretty to look
>>at, but a problem for my macro algae. I gave it back to the LFS, who
>>thought I was being rediculous. Of course, with my having to buy new
>>macro every month, why would he want me to get rid of it? ;)
>>
>>Marc
>>
>>
>>Wolf wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Excellent Marc! thats the one i saw too. it sucks the juices out of the
>>>plant. Very good for keeping the caulerpa in check, in the ocean
>>>atleast, in the refugium however, doesnt look safe! lol.
>>>
>>>Thanks for pulling that up, your a wealth of good information!
>>>
>>>wolf
>>>
>>>"Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
. com...
>>>
>>>
>>>>This is the slug that eats caulerpa.
>>>>
>>>>http://melevsreef.com/id/sacoglossa.html
>>>>
>>>>Marc
>>
>>
>>--
>>Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
>>Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
>>Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
>>
>
>
>

--
Personal Page:
http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Wolf]

Ya, thats what i suspected.
thanks.

basically its usless for reef enthusiasts unless they need to do some
culling on caulerpa i guess.

wolf

"Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
om...
> No, it is a caulerpa gourmet, and its palate won't be tainted by GHA!
>
> Marc ;)
>
>
> Wolf wrote:
>> Smart, then the slug did its job, and it lived to get more jobs. I would
>> have done the same, its kind of a recycleable invincible slug, lol.
>>
>> Does this thing work on micro algae? Meaning Hair algae etc..?
>>
>> Wolf
>>
>> "Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
>> m...
>>
>>>Thanks Wolf. I spent many many hours lying on my belly watching that
>>>slug eat or travel on the caulerpa in my refugium. It was very pretty to
>>>look at, but a problem for my macro algae. I gave it back to the LFS,
>>>who thought I was being rediculous. Of course, with my having to buy new
>>>macro every month, why would he want me to get rid of it? ;)
>>>
>>>Marc
>>>
>>>
>>>Wolf wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>Excellent Marc! thats the one i saw too. it sucks the juices out of
>>>>the plant. Very good for keeping the caulerpa in check, in the ocean
>>>>atleast, in the refugium however, doesnt look safe! lol.
>>>>
>>>>Thanks for pulling that up, your a wealth of good information!
>>>>
>>>>wolf
>>>>
>>>>"Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
. com...
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>This is the slug that eats caulerpa.
>>>>>
>>>>>http://melevsreef.com/id/sacoglossa.html
>>>>>
>>>>>Marc
>>>
>>>
>>>--
>>>Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
>>>Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
>>>Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>
> --
> Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
>