Id help please, is it algae? or coral?

[Ayesha97]

I just recently got a bunch of liverock from another AA member. I just noticed some red growth. Is this algae growing on my rocks? or is it a type of leather or mushroom coral??
Thanks for the help!

 

[reefrunner69]

Looks like cyanobacteria, pest algae. Does it wipe off easily?

 

[Ayesha97]

I haven't tried touching it yet. Didn't know if it was something I wanted to keep or get rid of.

Just stuck my hand in the tank. It has a rough/tough texture and doesn't easily move off the rock.

 

[reefrunner69]

Hmmm, well then it's not cyano, which is a good thing, maybe a read coraline algae.

 

[Ayesha97]

That doesn't sound bad. Found this page...

http://www.aquariumarts.com/redplatecoralline.html

Was curious in the off chance that it was a coral, how long it would survive with sucky lights. Nice lights are on my wish list...