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Macroalgae Farms
The Marine
Species Library
Our growing field guide to the marine life kept in reef aquariums. 187 species profiles documenting the ecology, natural history, and aquarium husbandry of macroalgae, invertebrates, seagrasses, and fish — drawn from scientific literature and decades of collected reef keeping knowledge.
51 macroalgae & seagrass
40 invertebrates
26 fish
0 corals
7 groups
Browse by group
All Species —
Green Algae —
Red Algae —
Brown Algae —
Blue Algae —
Purple Algae —
Select a problem
🔴
Algae
Red Slime / Cyanobacteria
Slimy red or purple sheets with a musty odor. A bacteria, not algae — caused by low flow and excess organics.
🌿
Algae
Hair Algae
Fast-growing filamentous algae smothering rockwork and coral bases. Driven by high nutrients and low herbivore pressure.
🫧
Algae
Bubble Algae
Shiny green bubbles that spread by releasing spores when ruptured. Introduced on live rock or coral frags.
🟤
Algae
Diatoms / Brown Film
Brown dusty film on glass, sand, and rock. Extremely common in new tanks — almost always self-resolves within weeks.
🌡️
Algae
Dinoflagellates / Dinos
Golden-brown stringy coating that disappears at night. Linked to ultra-low nutrients. Some species toxic to livestock.
📈
Water Quality
High Nitrates & Phosphates
Elevated nutrients driving algae growth and coral stress. Target nitrates under 10 ppm, phosphates under 0.1 ppm.
⚡
Pest
Aiptasia & Hydroids
Aggressive pest anemones that sting nearby corals and spread rapidly. Introduced on live rock or coral frags.
🪱
Pest
Flatworms
Rust-brown oval specks multiplying rapidly across rockwork. Release toxins when dying in large numbers — siphon before treating.
🪱
Pest
Polyclad Flatworms
Larger predatory flatworms actively consuming coral tissue and clam mantles. A genuine emergency requiring immediate action.
🦠
Pest
Acropora Flatworms (AEFW)
Tiny flatworms living on Acropora, consuming tissue and leaving white patches. Highly destructive to SPS collections.
🐌
Pest
Pest Nudibranchs
Coral-eating nudibranchs introduced on frags. Identified by white egg spirals on affected coral — act fast.
⭐
Pest
Asterina Starfish
Small asymmetric stars multiplying rapidly. Most are harmless, but some individuals develop a taste for coral tissue and zoanthids.
🔴
Pest
Red Bugs
Tiny parasites on Acropora causing polyp retraction and slow decline. Treated with medication — no livestock solution exists.
🐚
Pest
Sundial Snails
Small patterned snails feeding exclusively on zoanthids and palythoa. They hide under the coral during the day.
🐚
Pest
Vermetid Snails
Sessile snails casting mucus webs that irritate and damage nearby coral polyps, especially LPS.
🪱
Pest
Bristleworms
Most are harmless detritivores, but predatory fireworms can damage coral and invertebrates when populations grow.
🧹
Detritus
Detritus & Waste Buildup
Organic waste accumulating in low-flow areas and the sandbed. Fuels high nutrients, algae, and hydrogen sulfide in dead zones.
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