Bubble algae is a type of marine algae found in freshwater, saltwater, and reef tanks. It is one of the largest single-cell organisms whose color is from single green to dark green.
What color and size it will depend on the light it is getting. It has come up in a variety of sizes which can even grow up to 5 centimeters in diameter.
There are many fish and invertebrates that love to eat bubble algae. And some others just avoid it. In this post, we are going to talk about what eats bubble algae and what doesn’t.
Where does bubble algae come from?
Almost 90% of the time, bubble algae come from live rock. The source of the algae may be on your newly bought rock. Once your tank is introduced with algae, your aquarium’s light will produce lots of spores over time.
To prevent an outbreak of algae production, you have to keep a close eye on the live rock before placing it in the aquarium. The best way is to quarantine your rock for a few days when it is in your possession.
In the same way, when you want to add coral specimens to your aquarium, monitor thoroughly what is attached to them. They are able to hitch everywhere into aquarium accessories.
Before putting on any species of rock, make sure you have paid close attention to it and ensure there are no vesicles attached to the rock.
What eats bubble algae
Many fish and invertebrates love to eat bubble algae, such as tangs, gobies, blennies, crabs, urchins, etc. You can put them into your aquarium to keep control of your bubble algae.
To maintain an aquarium properly, aquarists expend a lot of time, money, and energy. They want to keep fish and corals happy. Along with fish and corals, the opportunity takes the algae. When aquarium creatures do poop, it feeds the algae and increases the rapid growth of spores.
Although bubble algae are not extremely harmful to aquarium fish, corals, or other creatures, they can make your tank look ugly.
What saltwater fish eat bubble algae?
- Achilles Tang
- Atlantic blue tangs
- Brown barred gobies
- Cherub Angelfish
- Chevron Tang
- combtooth blenny
- Convict tangs
- Foxface rabbitfish
- Kole tang
- Lawnmower blenny
- Lemon peel angelfish
- Potter’s angelfish
- Powder blue tang
- Rainford’s goby
- Red-lipped blenny
- Desjardini sailfin tang
- Sailfin tang (pacific)
- Scribbled rabbitfish
- Sphinx goby
- Yellow tang
What invertebrates eat bubble algae?
- Hermit crabs
- Sally Lightfoot Crab
- Emerald crabs or mithrax crabs
- Amphipods
- Copepods
- Chiton
- Fighting conch
- Trochus
- Cerith
- Stomatella
- Limpet
- Bumblebee
- Chocolate chip
- Serpent
- Sand sifting
- Diadema urchin
- Tuxedo Urchin
- Aplysia
- Lettuce
- Sea apple
What kills bubble algae?
Bubble algae can be killed by manual removal, reduction of nutrients, invertebrates, fish, and aquarium conditioner. There is another way to kill bubble algae by stopping the source of food it eats.
If a tank has control over nitrates levels, there is a very low chance of growing bubble algae. That’s why regular maintenance is required to prevent algae. The maintenance might be regular filter cleaning, partial water changes, regular feeding, providing adequate lighting, etc.
Having a protein skimmer also makes your tank clear and reduces the chance of growing algae.
This will remove organics that are converted into nitrates are the food for algae
Will a UV Sterilizer kill Bubble Algae?
Yes. A UV sterilizer can kill bubble algae in aquariums. It is used for getting rid of algae, harmful bacteria, unwanted parasites, and nuisance like ich, etc. It also helps prevent diseases and acts as a safety guard for your tank.
A UV sterilizer is a great addition you can use in both freshwater and marine tanks. It has a protective nature that prevents fish death and helps to keep control of the aquarium environment.
It is a part of your aquarium’s filtration system that mostly stays in the filtration line after mechanical filters. Its function is similar to a fluorescent bulb that releases 253.7-nanometer wavelengths of light.
Bypassing the tank water into this Ultraviolet bulb, it kills algae, bacteria, viruses, and parasites and makes the water safe for aquarium creatures. It destroys the spore of the algae by irradiating it with UV light. That’s why algae can’t be produced.
Along with keeping the water crystal clear, a UV sterilizer increases the beauty of the aquarium even more.
Will Bubble Algae go away?
No, Bubble algae won’t go away unless you remove it manually or keep creatures that will eat them. Low nutrients can keep them in control, but the bubble algae will not permanently be removed as other algae do.
Bubble algae come into the aquarium from rocks or corals, sometimes only as a spore that is unable to see without a microscope. That’s why you have to be aware when you put corals, rocks, or other things that come from outside into your aquarium.
