hair algae

[aquabeast]

my java fern has some hair algae, i was wondering if any fish ate it, and if it was bad to have in the tank thx.

 

[dskidmore]

It won't poison anything, but it gets unsightly if it multiplies and overruns things. Hair algae is one of the least tasty algaes, very few critters eat it. I think I've heard florida flag fish do eat it, but they're not commonly in local pet stores and are sometimes agressive to other community fish.

 

[james11417]

I have something like that on mine as well. Does it look like this?
It's all over the roots!

 

[mfdrookie516]

^ That almost looks like the start of BBA....

To the OP... can you get a picture? BBA is sometimes misidentified as HA, though both can be a pain. Some info about your tank would be beneficial as well, such as... do you inject co2? do you dose ferts? If so, what kind and how much/often?

 

[james11417]

Any suggestions for removal?

 

[Mr. Limpet]

my java fern has some hair algae, i was wondering if any fish ate it, and if it was bad to have in the tank thx.

I found AES to be great at eliminating BA, but if you have big fish they could get eaten. Here's a great link to Algae and cause/solution info.

Greater Washington Aquatic Plant Association » Algae in the Planted Aquarium