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Grape Caulerpa
Last updated on November 17th, 2023
About Grape Caulerpa
Grape Caulerpa is a long stringy macro algae with roots that attatch it to rock work. The vines have small balls that look like little grapes growing along it.
Grape Caulerpa grows very fast and kills corals by shading or strangling them. People have kept grape caulerpa in the refugium as a way to reduce nitrates and phosphates. Due to how this algae grows and can reproduce sexually be producing spores, it is best not to keep grape caulerpa in the reef tank.
What Causes Grape Caulerpa
Grape Caulerpa typically sprouts from a small piece or root of grape caulerpa that was on coral, rock, or a shell that was added to the aquarium. Like most algae, phosphates and nitrates in the reef tank allow this algae to continue to grow.
How to Get Rid of Grape Caulerpa
The best way to get rid of Grape Caulerpa is to remove as much of it as possible, and allow your cleanup crew to remove any additional pieces and roots you may have missed. You can use a toothbrush, tweezers and/or a dental pick to pick off as much of the grape caulerpa as possible.
What Eats Grape Caulerpa
Assuming you have already picked out as much of the root system as possible, there are many creatures that will pick at the remaining caulerpa and eat it. Since it is likely within the rock, I would start by relying on invertebrates such as emerald crabs and sea hares. Tangs, rabbitfish, angelfish, turbo snails, and urchins may also eat grape caulerpa, but may have a hard time getting in small places.
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