Green Film Algae

Details

Scientific Name: Mixed microalgae films
Identification: Thin green coating on glass and hard surfaces that returns quickly after cleaning.

Pest Management

Treatment: Improve export, adjust feeding, clean glass consistently, and support grazers that consume film algae.
Prevention: Maintain stable nutrients and flow, avoid overfeeding, and keep a balanced clean-up crew.

Description

Green Film Algae is a reef aquarium nuisance that can spread if early signs are ignored.

Identification: Thin green coating on glass and hard surfaces that returns quickly after cleaning.

Treatment / Management: Improve export, adjust feeding, clean glass consistently, and support grazers that consume film algae.

Prevention: Maintain stable nutrients and flow, avoid overfeeding, and keep a balanced clean-up crew.

Reference Photos

File:Biofilm algobactérien sur characée.jpg reference image
Algal-bacterial biofilm layer, representative of nuisance film growth. Photo credit: Lamiot. Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).

File:BiofilmAlguesMorgat09.JPG reference image
Biofilm-covered surface with thin algae layer. Photo credit: Lamiot. Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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