Algae are tiny green photosynthetic harmless organisms that are commonly seen in most habitats. Blue green algae are minute deadly life that are found in freshwater aquarium .These are nightmares of aquarists, as once get into an aquarium, it is difficult to eliminate it.
Blue green algae are cyanobacteria group of bacteria and they are able to photosynthesise same as the green algae. These bacteria are found as coatings over the tank stones, walls and the aquatic plants as blue- green, purple, black or brown color. The affected area appears slimy, which is the protective membrane that the bacteria create over their colony. If they are not removed from the aquarium, the fishes and the plants will be seriously affected by the poisonous substances produced by them. The bacteria affected water is characterized by foul smell.
Blue green algae are one of the primitive forms of bacteria. It is well adaptable to all conditions and grows fast in extreme conditions where normal flora doesn’t grow. Blue green algae have the capacity to fix nitrates. So they can grow in water with nil or low nitrate concentration.
In normal conditions, blue green algae are not harmful to fishes. As they are microscopic creatures, we cannot see with naked eye and it is therefore difficult to eliminate it when they are inactive. When the conditions become favourable, these algae multiplies, transforms into the next stage and form their colony, the slimy stage. The favourable conditions include a dead spot with less oxygen concentration, still water and organic waste.
Prevention
.Improve the water circulation by using power heads. Changing water at regular intervals prevent the growth of blue green algae. Do not give large quantities of food to fishes and keep your aquarium well aerated to ensure adequate oxygen for the fishes.
Treatment
1. Increasing the oxygen content prevents the attack of blue- green algae. Hydrogen peroxide is used widely in the treatment of this disease. Hydrogen peroxide when come in contact with light produces water and oxygen which is extremely a difficult condition for the blue green algae to grow. A syringe can be used for this treatment. This method is very effective and the bacteria will be killed within minutes. 0.5- 1ml of peroxide can be added to 5 gallons of water and mix with the aquarium water in every 30-60 minutes. A dosing pump is very effective in using hydrogen peroxide as this automatically mixes the medicine with water in the correct ratio. This method is not as effective as syringe method.
2. Manual removal of the bacteria is possible, but as these are tiny for human eyes, only the slimy layer portions can be removed. This does not remove the whole bacteria and after a short time these colonies reappears. You need to remove it from the plants also to protect them from death and to maintain a healthy water environment.
The circulation inside the aquarium plays a role in controlling blue green algae. Well circulating water prevents bacteria from forming colonies.
3. Some of the water species like American flag fish, butterfly goddied, nerite snails etc eats blue green algae. Growing these species of organisms in the aquarium can be used in treating the disease.
4. As blue green algae are gram negative bacteria, this can be controlled effectively by Antibiotic Maracyn.
5. The miracle medicines for blue green algae contain copper. These medicines may work but affects the natural surroundings. So it is not advisable to treat the blue green algae infection with copper.
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