What is this growing on my Amazon Swords?

[Greg30329]

Hello,

I have this mossy growth on my amazon swords that I can't identify and I need help getting rid of it. Can someone please help? The photo doesn't show it, but the growth is actually green.

Thanks

 

[jaylach]

My guess is White Hair Algae. The following may help.

White Hair Algae in Aquarium - Causes, Removal & Prevention

Setting up the ideal aquarium setup is easier than keeping it that way. While nobody wants to deal with algae, everybody will eventually. White hair algae are particularly despised in ...

smartaquariumguide.com

 

[Kreps]

That looks a lot like staghorn algae mixed with some detritus/biofilm caught in it, rather than moss or fungus. The branching “antler” shape is pretty characteristic. It usually shows up when there’s excess organics, inconsistent CO2, low flow around the leaves, or older/decomposing plant material trapping debris.

I’d manually remove as much as possible first by twisting it out with a toothbrush or trimming the worst leaves. Then focus on improving flow around the swords, reducing excess waste, and keeping maintenance consistent with water changes. Siamese algae eaters sometimes nibble on it, but they’re not always reliable. Spot treating with liquid carbon (like Excel/EasyCarbo) can also weaken it if used carefully with the filter off for a few minutes. The good news is your swords themselves actually still look pretty healthy.

 

[10 Tanks]

Hello Greg. What is your water change routine? Typically, things you can't identify are nutrient related. Like algae for example. Most problems can be dealt with by simply increasing the amount of water you remove and replace. This will remove added nutrients and steady the water chemistry. A gradual increase in the amount of water your change out will likely take care of the problem. Again, most tank problems are water related, because water makes up the largest percentage of your tank. Just a thought.

10

 

[Whitecloudminnowguy09]

There is usually a lighting/fert inefficiency or a titled scale to how much light and how much fertilizer. What is your fertilzer scheadule? What kind of ferts? What is the light setting on? I have had this algae before on my amazon swords, it is pesky and takes manual removal and good light-to-fertilizer ratio to knock it out. You might also consider trimming down to the only clean leaves.

 

[Uberhoust]

Is your setup newish. When establishing a new tank or after a substrate change I find that you can get issues like what you mention with the white hair algae, also find I get cyanobacteria, and algae and bacterial blooms. Personally I believe it is associated with the introduction of fine dust associated with the substrate. I used to jump right on the bandwagon to try and correct the issue but now I ease off on the feeding and see how the issue develops (as long as the fish are not in distress) and the problem clears up on its own.