Bubble algae, often from the Valonia and Ventricaria genera, are characterized by their round, bubble-like shape and green color. These unicellular organisms reproduce rapidly on rocks and coral, suffocating their surroundings and quickly becoming a nuisance for reefers. We’re here to settle the debate on popping bubble algae: does popping them really cause them to spread?
The short answer is no. While it’s true that spores are released when popping bubble algae, these spores are not reproductive. Popping bubble algae is fine as long as you remove every single one. Leaving even the smallest bubble behind will encourage new growth.
Bubble algae are extremely common in reefing. Their ability to hitchhike on just about anything—from coral to snails—gives them many opportunities to infiltrate your aquarium. Here are a few ways to prevent them:
• Quarantine/Dip New Additions: Thoroughly inspect each new frag, rock, invertebrate, etc., before placing it in your aquarium. Bubble algae attaches to most hard surfaces, so keeping a close eye on new additions is key.
• Stable Water Parameters: While bubble algae can thrive in even the cleanest water, imbalances in water parameters encourage their growth.
• Predators: Natural bubble algae consumers, such as mithrax (emerald) crabs or foxface rabbitfish, are a great choice, even as a preventative measure. Be sure to research these predators, as many require large water volumes to thrive.
• Competition: Bubble algae thrive in nutrient-rich water and under excessive light. Adding copepods and amphipods to your aquarium can help outcompete bubble algae for resources.
If you’re already battling a bubble algae infestation, start by physically removing as much as you can. Use tweezers or your hands to pluck each bubble off and remove it from the aquarium. If a bubble is lost into the water column during this process, it will continue to grow where it lands. While many resort to chemical treatments, these can often do more harm than good. Many chemicals target a variety of algae, including beneficial ones such as coralline algae or macro-algae.
We hope you enjoyed learning about bubble algae. Have a blog request? Let us know!