Hair algae's 'smell'...

[Justikanz]

Erm... I was removing my tank of hair algae, again... And as I placed the removed algae in my hand while the other was removing more algae, I begin to smell a rather disgusting smell from the algae... I took a sniff to confirm and I almost fainted... No joke! I felt nauseous and stomach churning... The smell was very repulsive!...

In fact, the sickening smell can't be completely washed off and even now, a good 15 minutes after the sniff, I am still feel feeling woozy and stomach turning.

Anyone had smelled that before? And anyone knows why the stupid hair algae smell so repulsive? Could it be not hair algae? And maybe the reason why my shrimps are not bothered by it?...

Questions, questions... ...

[black17]

Hi Justikanz. Have never come across hair algae that smells bad. The only algae that smells bad to me was BGA. Perhaps there are some starting to grow? But I'm sure you could confirm BGA visually.

[Justikanz]

I was wondering too... The hair algae I pulled out from my other tank does not smell at all! But the ones from this particular tank smell really bad...

[black17]

Wow, really hard to say. Wish I could be of more help. Goes to show that just when we thought we got algae all figured out, they throw a tricky curve ball at us.

One last suggestion, if I may, perhaps its rotting. Consider removing and water change. It'll be interesting to see the outcome.

[Justikanz]

Well, I wish it is rotting! But sad to say, it is growing strongly!... They are fresh green and grow and grow...

But I noticed 1 difference between this smelly hair algae (I feel like vomitting just thinking of the smell! ) and the odourless hair algae is that these tend to clump together, but yet they are stringy individuals. Those that do not smell grow as very long individual strains... and have a slightly darker shade of green...

Could they be of a different algae?? Hmm...

[black17]

Just reading your description of the revolting smell makes me wary of smelling algae in the future, yuck!

[solonavi]

I've been removing hari algae for 3 weekends, no smell leh.

JC

[Justikanz]

That's why I wonder if they are of a different kind of hair algae...

These are light green in colour and clump together...

[valice]

A mixture of BGA and hair algae?
It is possible... The bacteria causes the hair to clamp together since hair algae don't clamp in the first place...

And you are removing those algae from your 4 ft tank or 2 ft?

[Justikanz]

The smelly ones are from my 2ft... I think they are either a different form of hair algae or a mixture, like you suggested...

The ones from my 4ft don't smell...

[Weirong]

Wah, sounds like an algae mutant.... Snap a picture for ID please.
Well, all sorts of nonsense viruses springing up lately. Anything is possible!

[Johnc]

BGA is darkgreen rather than light green. Also, although it smells bad, I am sure you have smelt it before... it is not revolting (at least to me). Could it be possible that something had died and was clinging on to the algae before you took it out? Did it smell like rotting fish or shrimp... that's pretty revolting and lingers in the hand even after washing with soap!

/John

[Justikanz]

Nope... A dead fish smelt better, seriously!

Ya, I am also wondering about the colour... I will try to get a picture of the algae when it grows again... *Sigh*... They WILL grow lor...

[ranmasatome]

I think this is possibly a form of cladophora.. the smells maybe from somewhere else like an accumulation of ammonia or sulphur..but to me.. i dont know what smells bad anymore.

[Justikanz]

Maybe the soot will clean your nasal system and you can smell better.

Anyway, the algae's growng back (I told you so... ) and so a photo will be available soon...

Stay tuned...

[alanyeo99]

Algae smells when they are exposed, like out of water for more than 3 or 4 hrs. Notice this when I drain my pond for maintenance. These are BGA type.

[Justikanz]

That's because they are rotting?

These smell immediately upon removal from water...

[Justikanz]

These are the pictures of the smelly supposed hair algae...

Big clump:


Smaller clump:




There are some long strands like normal hair algae, though... that's why I thought they are hair algae...


And there are small pieces floating around, maybe pulled out by the Endlers or the shrimps...

[avant]

The first picture showing the big clump sure looks nice. Looks like a lawn of fine hairgrass

[Justikanz]

But it very very much prefer to grow on plants than directly on substrate... Anyway, it stink so bad I would NOT want to have it around! I am going to get a bag of Malayan shrimps to see if they will eat this algae...