This is a form of string algae that branches that is often confused with the more common hair algae forms.  It is nothing short of your worst nightmare! It can grow in thick mats that entangle itself into the plants and easily hides in other mosses. It is a difficult algae to remove as when disturbed it breaks into very tiny bits and pieces that go unnoticed. It is these tiny bits that attach to plants and start the cycle over again.

Doing a search for Cladophora on the internet you can find many good examples of this algae, both in the home aquarium as well as out in nature.  I have not experienced this one, so do not have any photos to share.  And don’t know of anyone who has images.

Common Causes

• Fertilizers out of balance. Check water parameters and ensure fertilizers are balanced.
• Introduced with new plants that were carriers
• Too much light or old tubes
• Adding low quality moss balls.  Aegagropila linnaei, also known as Cladophora linnaei, is commonly used, but some moss balls use a different form of Cladophora that can spread through the tank.  These often use a solid core to wrap the algae to for the moss ball.

Removing Cladophora

• Best to work on finding the root cause as this algae easily breaks into tiny bits that can go unnoticed until it takes hold and starts growing again
• Use a timer to tun lights for only 6-8 hours
• Spot treat with Seachem Excel, Metricide or Hydrogen Peroxide. These treatments will slow the growth of this algae, but do not completely kill it
• Use a bleach or alum dip on all new plants. Prevention is the key to “controlling” this algae form
• Manual removal. Use tweezers, a soft toothbrush or anything else that works for you. This job is very tedious and requires persistence.

Algae Crew

• Red Cherry Shrimp
• Siamese Algae Eater