Driftwood algae id

[Nikki Casali]

A have a piece of driftwood that seems to be growing a coat of fur. I
don't dislike it as it makes the wood look interesting. My SAEs like to
sometimes tug at it. But what is it?

http://www.ncasali.demon.co.uk/Plants/images/DriftwoodAlgae.jpg
http://www.ncasali.demon.co.uk/Plants/images/DriftwoodAlgaeZ.jpg

Nikki

[NetMax]

"Nikki Casali" > wrote in message
...
>A have a piece of driftwood that seems to be growing a coat of fur. I
>don't dislike it as it makes the wood look interesting. My SAEs like to
>sometimes tug at it. But what is it?
>
> http://www.ncasali.demon.co.uk/Plants/images/DriftwoodAlgae.jpg
> http://www.ncasali.demon.co.uk/Plants/images/DriftwoodAlgaeZ.jpg
>
> Nikki


I've had this stuff before, also on driftwood which almost makes me
suspect it could be fungal instead of an algae, but regardless it seems
to be harmless. Eliminating it is a bit problematic (tough stuff).
Regarding its appearance, I'll leave that to the beholder ;~). Sorry I
couldn't be more helpful.
--
www.NetMax.tk

[Mean_Chlorine]

Thusly Nikki Casali > Spake Unto All:

>A have a piece of driftwood that seems to be growing a coat of fur. I
>don't dislike it as it makes the wood look interesting. My SAEs like to
>sometimes tug at it. But what is it?

I've not had that type of algae personally, so I've not examined it in
microscope, but most likely it's "black brush algae", a type of red
alga. The only fish I know which eat it is SAE's.

[Nikki Casali]

Mean_Chlorine wrote:

> Thusly Nikki Casali > Spake Unto All:
>
>
>>A have a piece of driftwood that seems to be growing a coat of fur. I
>>don't dislike it as it makes the wood look interesting. My SAEs like to
>>sometimes tug at it. But what is it?
>
>
> I've not had that type of algae personally, so I've not examined it in
> microscope, but most likely it's "black brush algae", a type of red
> alga. The only fish I know which eat it is SAE's.
>

If you can identify it from a photograph then I'll upload an image from
my microscope. There's absolutely no evidence of a BBA in the aquarium,
except the driftwood. Strange. There's another piece of driftwood which
is completely clear.

Nikki

[Mean_Chlorine]

Thusly Nikki Casali > Spake Unto All:

>If you can identify it from a photograph then I'll upload an image from
>my microscope.

No promises, but I can have a go. I think I recognize the most common
types.