term definition

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Hara

Aquarium Advice Addict
Joined
Aug 28, 2002
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Location
Louisiana
Can someone please clarify the term filiamentous algae for me? Maybe give me and example or two of what kinds it would consist of.
Thanks.
 
Filamentous algae does not have true leaves, stems or roots.

Filamentous algae are single algae cells that form long visible chains, threads, or filaments. These filaments intertwine forming a mat that resembles wet wool. Filamentous algae starts growing along the bottom in shallow water or attached to structures in the water (like rocks or other aquatic plants). Often filamentous algae floats to the surface forming large mats, which are commonly referred to as “pond scums”. There are many species of filamentous algae and often more than one species will be present at the same time in the pond.

Submerged portions of all aquatic plants provide habitats for many micro and macro invertebrates (i.e. bugs, worms, etc.). These invertebrates in turn are used as food by fish and other wildlife species (e.g. amphibians, reptiles, ducks, etc.). After aquatic plants die, their decomposition by bacteria and fungi provides food (called “detritus”) for many aquatic invertebrates. Filamentous algae has no known direct food value to wildlife.

As taken from:

http://wildthings.tamu.edu/aquaplant/Algae/Filamentous/filamentous.htm
 
Examples...
Derbesia
DerbesiaAQ.jpg


Bryopsis
Bryopsis.jpg
 
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