RockStacker
Reefing newb
I just wanted to share some info regarding California's stance on caulerpa.
I am not sure if this has been posted on this forum already, but a few searches on the forum did not get any hits.
I am not endorsing or opposing the ban. I am simply relaying what has been written as laws and ordinances.
First off, on a state level California has declared 9 specific species of caulerpa as banned.
Fish stores that sell them intentionally and hobbyists that propagate them are subject to fines. They can be forgiven if they properly dispose of the banned stock.
Here's a visual guide to the 9 species.
http://swr.nmfs.noaa.gov/hcd/caulerpa/9_Species_Brochure.pdf
Some general information on caulerpa declared as invasives.
Noxious Algae Found In Southern California Coastal Waters
It is worth noting too that San Diego county has banned ALL caulerpa species. Again, enforcement is on a reasonable level and hobbyists are given the opportunity to properly dispose of their stock in order to avoid fines.
Some more tidbits regarding caulerpa:
The most common (and hardiest) caulerpa making its rounds in California reefers' tanks would be caulerpa serrulata. Or "sawblade" caulerpa.
With the exception of San Diego county, this caulerpa is not banned. However, it is considered highly undesirable anyway and easily gets out of control.
Marine Species Identification Portal : Cactus tree alga - Caulerpa serrulata
In bright light, this caulerpa grows short and stubby blades and are opaque bright green. In the shade, they grow long slender blades that are almost translucent.
From personal experience, I have observed the following fish readily eat caulerpa serrulata:
Powder Blue Tang
Kole Tang
Naso Tang
Yellow Tang (on someone else's tank).
I have also observed caulerpa serrulata "go sexual" in my tanks a few times.
These are the signs:
1. Caulerpa colonies turn while and appear hollow.
2. Water gets cloudy with milky, greenish-white gunk.
3. The hollow caulerpa eventually disintegrates.
4. If not addressed, several new stands of caulerpa will colonize the tank.
5. Water chemistry is also fouled up by this.
Water changes and carbon filtration is highly recommended if caulerpa explodes in your tank.
People say that caulerpa going sexual in the tank kills everything. This may be true to a certain extent.
This is not due to any plant-based toxins within the caulerpa, but due to the massive release of built up nitrogen and phospates. The large scale decomposition of the dead algae also adds to the troubles in the tank.
Anecdotal evidence also shows that regularly pruning caulerpa colonies postpones them from going sexual. When I had caulerpa in my tanks I pruned them a lot and this seems to have stopped them from going sexual.
They reproduce sexually and asexually.
Even if they do not go sexual in your tank, controlling their growth or eradicating them is a challenge because even a single floating blade could have enough living material to start its own colony.
I am not sure if this has been posted on this forum already, but a few searches on the forum did not get any hits.
I am not endorsing or opposing the ban. I am simply relaying what has been written as laws and ordinances.
First off, on a state level California has declared 9 specific species of caulerpa as banned.
Fish stores that sell them intentionally and hobbyists that propagate them are subject to fines. They can be forgiven if they properly dispose of the banned stock.
Here's a visual guide to the 9 species.
http://swr.nmfs.noaa.gov/hcd/caulerpa/9_Species_Brochure.pdf
Some general information on caulerpa declared as invasives.
Noxious Algae Found In Southern California Coastal Waters
It is worth noting too that San Diego county has banned ALL caulerpa species. Again, enforcement is on a reasonable level and hobbyists are given the opportunity to properly dispose of their stock in order to avoid fines.
Some more tidbits regarding caulerpa:
The most common (and hardiest) caulerpa making its rounds in California reefers' tanks would be caulerpa serrulata. Or "sawblade" caulerpa.
With the exception of San Diego county, this caulerpa is not banned. However, it is considered highly undesirable anyway and easily gets out of control.
Marine Species Identification Portal : Cactus tree alga - Caulerpa serrulata
In bright light, this caulerpa grows short and stubby blades and are opaque bright green. In the shade, they grow long slender blades that are almost translucent.
From personal experience, I have observed the following fish readily eat caulerpa serrulata:
Powder Blue Tang
Kole Tang
Naso Tang
Yellow Tang (on someone else's tank).
I have also observed caulerpa serrulata "go sexual" in my tanks a few times.
These are the signs:
1. Caulerpa colonies turn while and appear hollow.
2. Water gets cloudy with milky, greenish-white gunk.
3. The hollow caulerpa eventually disintegrates.
4. If not addressed, several new stands of caulerpa will colonize the tank.
5. Water chemistry is also fouled up by this.
Water changes and carbon filtration is highly recommended if caulerpa explodes in your tank.
People say that caulerpa going sexual in the tank kills everything. This may be true to a certain extent.
This is not due to any plant-based toxins within the caulerpa, but due to the massive release of built up nitrogen and phospates. The large scale decomposition of the dead algae also adds to the troubles in the tank.
Anecdotal evidence also shows that regularly pruning caulerpa colonies postpones them from going sexual. When I had caulerpa in my tanks I pruned them a lot and this seems to have stopped them from going sexual.
They reproduce sexually and asexually.
Even if they do not go sexual in your tank, controlling their growth or eradicating them is a challenge because even a single floating blade could have enough living material to start its own colony.
