Brown Algae

Dictyota spp

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Species data

🟤 Dictyota Brown Algae (Branching Macroalgae)
Scientific Name: Dictyota spp.
Common Name: Dictyota, Brown Macroalgae
Appearance: Flat, branching brown fronds with a shiny or iridescent sheen
Reef Safe: ❌ Invasive nuisance
Temperament: Persistent and fast-spreading
Diet: Photosynthetic – thrives on light and nutrients
Tank Role: Unwanted pest – outcompetes corals and resists grazing

Description

🔍 Description:
Dictyota is a fast-growing brown macroalgae that spreads via runners and fragmentation, making it a major nuisance in reef tanks. It often appears as flat, forked branches with a glossy texture, and can range in color from dull brown to blue-green iridescent, depending on the lighting.

Unlike softer algae, Dictyota is rarely eaten by standard clean-up crew members and is known to release chemicals that inhibit coral growth, giving it a competitive edge on the reef. It's notorious for taking hold in mature systems and spreading aggressively across rockwork and frag plugs.

Why it Appears

✅ Why It Appears:

Elevated Nutrients: Especially phosphate

Long Light Exposure: Strong white/blue spectrum

Lack of Targeted Grazers: Most snails and crabs avoid it

Fragmentation: Easily spreads when torn or scraped

Best Predator

🧽 Best Cleanup Crew for Dictyota (Support Only):

Tuxedo Urchins – may consume new Dictyota growth

Emerald Crabs – mixed results, some individuals nibble

Manual Removal – wear gloves and avoid tearing it

Sailfin or Bristletooth Tangs (if fish are included) – can help in larger tanks

Notes

⚠️ Notes for Success:

Remove Carefully: Fragmentation causes rapid spread

Run Activated Carbon: May help absorb chemical excretions

Keep Nutrients Stable: Don't chase zero, but avoid spikes

Quarantine All Coral/Live Rock: Prevent introduction

Pro tip

🧠 Pro Tip:
Dictyota looks harmless at first but is one of the hardest algae to control once established. Pair manual removal with long-term grazing pressure and nutrient stability. In some tanks, the key to control is persistence, not aggression.

Brown Algae

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Brown Algae

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