Turquoise Paint like algae???

[Baxe]

I was over at a house the other day with substandard tank maintenance. The tank was full of algae and among all the usual algae I noticed a thick turquoise paint like algae clinging to the leaves of a fake plant. I have never seen this before what is it? Out of curiosity, and is it harmful to fish? What is it caused from? Whats its name?

few questions for ya

thanks

Baxe

 

[Lupin]

What are your water parameters? You have blue green algae (also known as cyanobacteria) there. It is not really algae but cyanobacteria which can happen in tanks with zero or very low nitrates. Yes, it can harm the plants by smothering them and may release toxins to the fish if ingested. It can be removed manually. I've done it before but the problem also arises when it quickly returns. Try to increase aeration and treat with erythromycin. Be careful though as monst antibacterial meds can also destroy your beneficial bacteria.