Strange algae stuff is it edible? or safe for fish to eat? - Aquarium Advice

Satsumas · 10-29-2006, 05:15 PM

I have just witnessed my brother's rainbow shark eat a load of algae like stuff that looks kind of blue at times and grows underneath the substrate. You can see it through the glass and it is easily got hold of and doesn't break up when you move it.

Does anyone know what it is exactly and if it's safe for the fish to eat?
I have some in my tank and i think my BN pleco will relish it, especially if a rainbow shark did anyway.

TIA

tropicalfish · 10-29-2006, 06:51 PM

Fish can eat algae,...

JDogg · 10-29-2006, 06:54 PM

can you pull out a piece and smell it? if it smell really bad it is cyno-bacteria. never heard or of seen a fish eat cyno

krap101 · 10-29-2006, 06:56 PM

heh, whats your definition of bad? i like the smell of gasoline

joannde · 10-29-2006, 07:35 PM

I had a betta that died of bloat which I believe was the result of accidentally eating BGA (cyano-bacteria). If the bluish stuff you're seeing grows in slimey sheets that what it is. It smells like a really polluted pond if you ask me

Satsumas · 10-30-2006, 04:05 AM

Is BGA the abbreviation for blue-green algae?
If so then all the fish or at least 90% of them in my local lake died from BGA poisoning and the lake was closed off for months.

Yeah it does grow in slimey sheets, i'll smell some later on!
Did the betta eat too much or was a little enough?
My brother's RS ate a fair amount to be honest!

joannde · 10-30-2006, 07:36 AM

Yes, BGA is an abbreviation for Blue Green Algae (sorry for leaving that out the first time).

The betta ate only a tiny little piece, and I can't be 100% sure that it was the cause of it getting bloat and later dying, but I do have my suspicions.

There are a couple of ways to get rid of BGA. I did a 3 day blackout at first, but the BGA came back. The second was a 5 day blackout. Lack of water flow is a cause of it, so you might want to dig deep when you do a gravel vac in the future. If the tank is planted then watch your nitrites; nitrites which bottom out (go to 0) is another cause.

Here's a link I found very helpful in solving various algae problems (incl BGA)
http://www.aquariaplants.com/alqaeproblems.htm

10-29-2006, 05:15 PM	#1
Satsumas Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cambridge, England (UK) Posts: 612	Strange algae stuff is it edible? or safe for fish to eat? I have just witnessed my brother's rainbow shark eat a load of algae like stuff that looks kind of blue at times and grows underneath the substrate. You can see it through the glass and it is easily got hold of and doesn't break up when you move it. Does anyone know what it is exactly and if it's safe for the fish to eat? I have some in my tank and i think my BN pleco will relish it, especially if a rainbow shark did anyway. TIA __________________ 20Gal Planted, Fluval 205 filtration. 3 Black Neons, 1 Zebra Danio, 1 Clown Pleco, 3 Yo-yo Loaches. Tank Established: Nov 04'

10-29-2006, 06:51 PM	#2
tropicalfish Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 325	Fish can eat algae,... __________________ --- 75 Gallon Rena FilStar xP3, Aquarium Systems Visi-Therm 200W (2), Coralife 48" Aqualight 260W 6700K --- 10 Gallon Hexagon Hagen AquaClear 30, Visi-Therm Deluxe 50, DIY CF 20W 6500K CF, Hagen Natural CO2 System :: Bloodfin Tetra (1), Red-eye Tetra (3), Black Skirt Tetra (3), Harlequin Rasbora (6), Platy (1), Otocinclus Catfish (1) :: Rotala Indica, Hygrophila Difformis (Wisteria), Cabomba Carolinia ---

10-29-2006, 06:56 PM	#4
krap101 Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Roscoe, IL Posts: 3,824 Images: 12	heh, whats your definition of bad? i like the smell of gasoline __________________ Wizards first rule-People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true. Wizards second rule-The greatest harm can result from the best intentions. Wizards third rule-Passion rules reason. Wizards fourth rule-There is magic in forgiveness the magic to heal! In the forgiveness you grant, and more so in the forgiveness you receive. Wizards fifth rule-Mind what people do, not only what they say, for deeds will betray a lie. Wizards sixth rule-The only sovereign you can allow to rule you is reason. Wizards seventh rule-Life is the future, not the past Wizards eighth rule-Deserve victory. Wizards ninth rule-Contradictions don't exist, in whole or in part.

10-29-2006, 07:35 PM	#5
joannde Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 1,724 Images: 6	I had a betta that died of bloat which I believe was the result of accidentally eating BGA (cyano-bacteria). If the bluish stuff you're seeing grows in slimey sheets that what it is. It smells like a really polluted pond if you ask me __________________ 35G barebottom: 2 boesemani rainbowfish, 4 congo tetras, Low light plants (1.5wpg) attached to or planted in my own handmade ceramics - Anubia v Nana, Anubia v Barteri, Red Rubin Sword 2.5G - Spot (beautiful betta - Soft pink with red spots on his fins. Java Moss.

10-30-2006, 04:05 AM	#6
Satsumas Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cambridge, England (UK) Posts: 612	Is BGA the abbreviation for blue-green algae? If so then all the fish or at least 90% of them in my local lake died from BGA poisoning and the lake was closed off for months. Yeah it does grow in slimey sheets, i'll smell some later on! Did the betta eat too much or was a little enough? My brother's RS ate a fair amount to be honest! __________________ 20Gal Planted, Fluval 205 filtration. 3 Black Neons, 1 Zebra Danio, 1 Clown Pleco, 3 Yo-yo Loaches. Tank Established: Nov 04'

10-30-2006, 07:36 AM	#7
joannde Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 1,724 Images: 6	Yes, BGA is an abbreviation for Blue Green Algae (sorry for leaving that out the first time). The betta ate only a tiny little piece, and I can't be 100% sure that it was the cause of it getting bloat and later dying, but I do have my suspicions. There are a couple of ways to get rid of BGA. I did a 3 day blackout at first, but the BGA came back. The second was a 5 day blackout. Lack of water flow is a cause of it, so you might want to dig deep when you do a gravel vac in the future. If the tank is planted then watch your nitrites; nitrites which bottom out (go to 0) is another cause. Here's a link I found very helpful in solving various algae problems (incl BGA) http://www.aquariaplants.com/alqaeproblems.htm __________________ 35G barebottom: 2 boesemani rainbowfish, 4 congo tetras, Low light plants (1.5wpg) attached to or planted in my own handmade ceramics - Anubia v Nana, Anubia v Barteri, Red Rubin Sword 2.5G - Spot (beautiful betta - Soft pink with red spots on his fins. Java Moss.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
"No More Algae" Tank Buddies - safe with live fish	thinksincode	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	2	10-26-2007 03:27 PM
Silicon - Will this stuff be safe?	Diablos	Freshwater & Brackish - Getting Started	8	02-28-2007 12:43 AM
Edible plants?	hashbaz	Freshwater & Brackish - Planted Tanks	2	04-13-2005 11:58 AM
Strange ghosting stuff	Jedihunter	Saltwater Reef Aquaria	14	08-12-2004 04:14 PM