I have discovered a new algae

Dusko

Prolific Poster
Apr 20, 2006
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I have discovered a new algae, one I have never seen before.
Does any one have a clue what this might be? ;
IMG_1498.jpg

IMG_1496.jpg

IMG_1495.jpg


I have seen many different types of algae in freshwater tanks and none of them are like this one. Ref;
Aquarium Algae ID (updated)

All freshwater algae I have encountered go "flat" as soon they are taken out side the water. This one stayed erected and is very hard on touch, something like the shoe brush (literally). But it does band on touch, not brake.
It is not growing on plants, only on this peace of bog wood. It is growing on the side exposed to light and on the underside, so strong light is probably not something this algae needs to thrive (90 liters with a single fluorescent tube lightly planted with slow growers, no ferts no CO2, has UV). It is slow growing, like individual strands, which are separated (not like the Black Beard algae which resembles the water color brush)

I have thought at first it is the Staghorn algae. But Staghorn is a branching algae and this one has non-branching black/grey strands.

I am very excited about this new discovery :p and sure would like to know what this new friend of mine is called (the algae).

NOTE; these photos were taken out side the water (note the erected strands)

Thanks for any help offered (info, links, etc)

Kind regards, Dusko
 

tedr108

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Nov 21, 2007
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I didn't respond earlier because I'm no expert, but I would lean more toward fungus, since it appears not to be light dependent. I have had fungus grow all over some of my driftwood in the past -- it just didn't look as strange as yours. :D
 

VaughnH

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Jan 24, 2005
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I think fungus is a more likely description of that weird growth too. Having never seen anything like it I have no other ideas.