Red Wiry Turf Algae

Details

Scientific Name: Gelidium spp.
Identification: Tough red wiry tufts that grip rock tightly and regrow from holdfasts after incomplete removal.

Pest Management

Treatment: Manual extraction with holdfast removal, repeated spot control, and nutrient reduction to limit regrowth.
Prevention: Inspect and quarantine frags and rock, and remove early colonies before they spread.

Description

Gelidium (Red Wiry Turf Algae) is a reef aquarium nuisance that can spread if early signs are ignored.

Identification: Tough red wiry tufts that grip rock tightly and regrow from holdfasts after incomplete removal.

Treatment / Management: Manual extraction with holdfast removal, repeated spot control, and nutrient reduction to limit regrowth.

Prevention: Inspect and quarantine frags and rock, and remove early colonies before they spread.

Reference Photos

File:Gelidium sp 2.jpg reference image
Gelidium branching pattern, representative of wiry red turf growth. Photo credit: Voctir. Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).

File:Gelidium latifolium.jpg reference image
Gelidium morphology and frond structure under natural conditions. Photo credit: Oleksandr Zakletskiy. Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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