I have algae growing on my plants near the surface of the tank water. It looks like green fuzzy long hairy stuff about an inch long. It doesn't appear to be growing anywhere else.

Is it bad algae?

Algae is not bad unless it is out of control. What kind of plants is is growing on? I had algae problems on my Java ferns and a couple of oto catfish solved it.

I have no idea what kind of plant it is. However it's got tiny leaves and my fish have basically cleaned it off so it's looking like green noodles in the tank right now. haha. Just basically has new growth at the top. My fish never started eating this plant until recently. Funny how they ignored it for so long then had a feast.

Anyway, the hairy stuff is only growing on this plant. I have no signs of it anywhere else.

I've taken a picture of it.... click below. I now see that it's greeny brown not just green.

Hairy and scary brown algea? click here for photo

thanks for your help

Thats a lot of algae on your plants! The problem with algae is that if they grow too dense, they will block the light that should be reaching the plant. There are few fish that can get rid of it without damaging the plants... you should consider one of the following:

1) add an oto catfish to your tank
2) increase frequency of water changes (decreases nitrate... algae food)
3) add fast growing plants that will outcompete algae for nutrients (anacharis, hornwort)

Good luck!

I think i'll just get rid of that plant as it's not dense at all anymore and is basically a skeleton except for the top. It's amazing how fast this stuff can grow.

Thats hair algae a hard algae to get rid of hun......I have that on my pond and its a big pain in the you know what....

The only way I have been able to get it out is to pull out the infected plants......Nasty algae

ok... the plant is gone. *crosses fingers*

It's the only plant where the hairy monster was growing.


ewww ewwwwwwwww *pfffffbtttt* I touched it!!!!!

Thanks for your help.