BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Fish Fuzzy algae?

I've been having a growth issue in my 2.5 gallon tank that houses my betta, Moe. It's fuzzy-looking green stuff that collects on the tank decorations and the plants in little spots. Is this algae? I thought maybe it was the light that was causing it, so I stopped turning it on too much (it's a flourescent light, not an incandescent), but the stuff is still cropping up.

Any ideas what it is and what I can do to prevent it from growing like that? I have not tested my water parameters, but my routine has not changed in the slightest. Same water, same temps, everything.

Hmmm...tricky one that, but you say you've tested your water perameters? I'd try rubbing a little bit of vinegar on it, and if that doesn't work, bleach. Might kill the fish but your tank would be nice and clean.

Can you boil the decorations? Otherwise just do a water change and rinse them with hot water and an aquarium sponge, if you haven't already, and see if it helps.

Wouldn't boiling kill the fish too?

Um, aren't you supposed to remove the fish first??

I have been doing regular water changes and scrubbing everything and rinsing under hot water only. It's come back a little bit after every time though. I'm not sure if it's harmful to Moe, but it's just so annoying to clean. Adds 20 minutes to my cleaning time!

Yes that'd make sense! I guess once out of the water they would die though? I don't think you can eat tropical fish either as they're full of coloured bits.

Yes, I can confirm that, they're actually quite foul.

Do you use aquarium salt in your tank, panini? I had a similar problem and when I began to add a bit of salt (to help with stress for the fish) with every water change and the problem went away. I find it a little frustrating that you can do the same thing every time, but these things happen. My sister and I both have gotten a type of mystery film on top of the water in our tanks. It seems to come and go.

A mystery film? How did that get in there? I guess it keeps the fish happy. I'd recommend the Maltese Falcon, that's a good one.

Yep, I always use aquarium salt.

I suppose tap water can have different parameters from time to time, though, even though it's always coming from the same source.