Reef Discussion

[ezza]

I appear to have Caulerpa cactoides on my live rock. It's been slowly growing for a while. I guessed it was Caulerpa of some kind and googled and found an identical specimen on the DPI website...

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/pests-diseases/marine-pests/nsw/caulerpa-taxifolia

So what I want to know is, do I take it out and dispose of it (freeze it and burn it), or should I leave it? I have never seen a fish eat it. It's beginning to extend itself along a runner so I feel I need to deal with it soon.

 

[holly]

Sounds like it's best to get rid of it - your water changes may put the spores into the waterways or something as suggested on the website.

 

[MagicJ]

Given that you reside in NSW, my reading of that link indicates that :

It is illegal to possess or sell the alga; fines of up to $11,000 apply. The noxious listing also provides NSW DPI with the power to seize and destroy Caulerpa, or require its destruction.

Doesn't that answer your question ?

 

[ezza]

Given that you reside in NSW, my reading of that link indicates that :


Doesn't that answer your question ?

Yes it does indeed. I didn't put it there! I was already planning to remove it. Being that people seem to keep varieties of Caulerpa in their sumps I wasn't certain about how people rationalise keeping this stuff etc etc blah blah blah. I'm the last person to do anything illegal @MagicJ :( I swear it just grew there!

 

[holly]

Yes it does indeed. I didn't put it there! I was already planning to remove it. Being that people seem to keep varieties of Caulerpa in their sumps I wasn't certain about how people rationalise keeping this stuff etc etc blah blah blah. I'm the last person to do anything illegal @MagicJ :( I swear it just grew there!

It's a weird contradiction isn't it? I've got a few varieties in mine as well. Perhaps it's only that particular variety...

 

[ezza]

Yeah it is interesting. Also interesting is that my rock is meant tone from the keppell islands and the primary known location of this particular species of Caulerpa is apparently in WA. So either the weed has spread since the map I saw was drawn, or the rock ain't from QLD. Who knows. It would be relevant for authorities if it had spread to qld and it wasn't known.

 

[holly]

Yeah it is interesting. Also interesting is that my rock is meant tone from the keppell islands and the primary known location of this particular species of Caulerpa is apparently in WA. So either the weed has spread since the map I saw was drawn, or the rock ain't from QLD. Who knows. It would be relevant for authorities if it had spread to qld and it wasn't known.

or was mixed in with a bunch of other rock from other places and it's just spread... who knows.

 

[ezza]

Yes, certainly. The next conundrum is how to get it off the rock given I am very short, and it is on a flat rock at the bottom of the tank. I might get the 6 foot ladder out tomorrow and put on my shoulder length K&J Aquariums gloves to pick it off

 

[MagicJ]

I understood that it grew up from some live rock that you had :)

Keep in mind that laws are generally made to control a small percentage of the population that do stupid things, to the detriment of the majority.

 

[ezza]

Yeah, get that...my our post was a little accusatory.

 

[MagicJ]

It's a weird contradiction isn't it? I've got a few varieties in mine as well. Perhaps it's only that particular variety...

I think it is only taxifolia that is banned in Victoria.

 

[chimaera]

I'll buy it from you - $50.

Need to add a little spice to reefing sometimes ... buying and distributing an illegal algae sounds risque :D

 

[ezza]

It's not illegal where you are! :p

 

[ezza]

I wonder if you can smoke it.

 

[holly]

I wonder if you can smoke it.

if you can dry it up you can smoke it.

 

[ezza]

Indeed you can. Though perhaps there are too many risks what with proximity to zoanthids and all... (I wouldn't really anyhoo)

 

[Agent M]

Before you get rid of it do me a favour & have a close look at it - on the actual 'leaf' itself are the little tiny leaves exactly opposite or alternate to each other? I would love to get some T. mexicana if some ever crops up in someone's tank, so I always ask :) That sp. isn't illegal but is very similar in appearance

 

[ezza]

No, the leaves of Mexicans have little points at the tips. This is well rounded.

 

[Agent M]

hmm, maybe C. mexicana isn't the species I was thinking of, my description is still the same one I'm looking for though. I'll have to find the name.