New moss who dis? ;)

[Abby]

I have these little round soft dark green puffs of moss spontaneously growing on the step in the pond… they secure themselves much more solidly than algae… what is it?

 

[GBBUDD]

It's not moss it does not grow underwater. My guess it is algae when a lot of algae starts to grow its deep within the pours of the rock well say Maki g it next to impossible to remove without a dental pic or chemicals

 

[Abby]

What type of algae is it? I actually like it a lot… it’s not slick at all…just feels soft on your feet like underwater moss (if that actually existed which apparently is not the case)

 

[GBBUDD]

I'm not expert but as far as I know there's none . moss can survive underwater from a flood for a period of time but eventually it needs to get back to the air.

 

[Abby]

I wasn’t challenging your statement.. just wondering what kind of algae it is?

 

[GBBUDD]

Didn't think you were . But it outside of my knowlege

 

[Abby]

Here are some pics of it out of the water… it’s super soft like grass or moss… not all slimy… and has some serious adhesive properties to the surface it’s stuck to. any ideas what it is?

 

[Jhn]

Looks like a type of turf algae, commonly seen in reef tanks that use algae turf scrubbers as a filter/nutrient export.

 

[Abby]

Thank you so much! Having a tough time finding much on turf algae… is it called anything else? Any links you recommend on it?

 

[Jhn]

Not sure, I believe the only time I have seen something similar in freshwater is in the little Patuxent river on rocks, in the fast moving part of the river where there are river cobble.

Probably isn’t turf algae as that is more of a saltwater thing, but that is what it reminds me of.

Turf algae is more of a generic term covering a form of algae that is wiry and holds pretty well to rock, etc.

Unless it is getting out of control, I wouldn’t worry about it. Provides habitat for microfauna, and other micro aquatic life, though surprised your koi dont eat it.

 

[Abby]

Thank you so much! I appreciate your feedback. I don’t know what would be considered or of control? It’s covering a decent amount of area on the pond floor and steps but doesn’t seem to disrupt anything?

 

[Jhn]

Thank you so much! I appreciate your feedback. I don’t know what would be considered or of control? It’s covering a decent amount of area on the pond floor and steps but doesn’t seem to disrupt anything?

You are going to get various algae species covering surfaces in the pond. Out of control to me is when it starts to choke out higher forms of plant life, clog filters, etc. Otherwise, I view it as beneficial and a form of nutrient banking, as it is using various nutrients in the water to grow.

If they would survive the fish in your pond, gammarus shrimp/scuds love that hairy type algae to feed on and live in. Just be sure to get the freshwater kind.

 

[Abby]

Thank you so much! I appreciate you!

 

[Abby]

You are going to get various algae species covering surfaces in the pond. Out of control to me is when it starts to choke out higher forms of plant life, clog filters, etc. Otherwise, I view it as beneficial and a form of nutrient banking, as it is using various nutrients in the water to grow.

If they would survive the fish in your pond, gammarus shrimp/scuds love that hairy type algae to feed on and live in. Just be sure to get the freshwater kind.

I have koi, goldfish, and guppies…

 

[GBBUDD]

What it looks like to me is a higher form of algae similar to the hair algae but instead of growing long and out of control you have carpeting the area .Hell get that to grow on like wood bark and sell it to the planted tank folks they use everything and anything to create a carpet in their tanks such as that. Honestly you may have a small gold mine in yourhands.