If you notice a thick green coating on the glass and decorations of the aquarium, similar to velvet, you have most likely encountered xenococcus. This is one of the most common algae encountered by aquarists, especially in new, recently started aquariums.
The good news is that these algae do not directly harm fish or plants. They simply use excess light and nutrients in the water. In fact, their appearance is a sign that something is out of balance in your underwater world.
Don't panic when you see green velvet. Xenococcus can and should be combated. What's more, its appearance often serves as a useful lesson that helps you better understand the needs of your aquarium and establish a stable environment in it.
Description
Xenococcus is always present in aquariums. When its quantity is negligible, it is invisible to the naked eye and does not harm the environment. It should only be feared when the algae begins to grow, gradually covering first the plants and then the entire body of water. In such a situation, it is very easy to identify.
Xenococcus is small green spots, about 2-3 mm in diameter, that appear on filters, decorations, and aquarium flora. The algae spreads at a moderate rate, so it never affects plants with long stems or fast-growing species.
All adult plants are at risk, especially shady species with broad leaves. If treatment is not started in time, the spots can grow to 6 mm in diameter. In this case, the leaves will become stiff, rough, and completely covered with dots.
Also, in advanced cases of xenococcus growth, other types of algae – pests – begin to appear in the aquarium.
Causes of xenococcus
Harmful spores of this algae are usually brought into the aquarium with food, plants, or even new inhabitants. Their active growth is influenced by changes in the aquatic environment:
- Lack of phosphorus. This is the most important and primary cause of an increase in the amount of xenococcus in the water. When this element is lacking, the growth of many aquarium plants slows down or stops. As a result, they cannot absorb nitrogen, the concentration of which will rapidly increase. This will lead to an increase in the amount of harmful nitrates in the aquarium, which are a favorable environment for the reproduction of xenococcus. In addition, strong lighting will increase the rate of harmful algae growth.
- Failure to observe the daylight regime. Lamps that constantly illuminate the aquarium have a positive effect on accelerating the reproduction of xenococcus.
- Poor aquarium maintenance. Infrequent water changes and substrate siphoning, dirty filters, poor aeration—all these factors contribute to an increase in the amount of harmful nitrates in the environment.
- Excessive and intense lighting.
Green algae in an aquarium is a frequent occurrence, and often it is not a pest, but simply an excess of nutrients in the water. If the walls, soil, or plants are covered with a thin green film, the cause is most likely too bright or prolonged lighting, excess fertilizer, or insufficient cleaning. Xenococcus, which many people have heard of, is actually just one type of algae, and it can be combated not with overly complicated methods, but with the right balance in the aquarium: less light, regular water changes, careful feeding of fish, and, if desired, the help of snails or algae eaters. The main thing is not to panic, because this can be dealt with in simple and natural ways.
Treatment methods
It is not difficult to stop the reproduction of xenococcus and remove all harmful spores from the aquarium if you start treatment on time and approach the problem responsibly. To get rid of algae in the early stages of its development, you need to:
- Set the length of daylight hours to 10 hours.
- Adjust the lighting so that it suits every plant in the aquarium. If there are light-loving and shade-loving species in the same body of water, hide the latter under the former.
- Add phosphates to the water at a rate of 1 gram per liter. You can use individual fertilizers, such as potassium dihydroorthophosphate, but it is better to opt for complexes of several substances. This way, the balance of all microelements will not be disturbed.
- Clean the filter and aerator and increase the power of these devices.
- Replace 30% of the water.
- Place special animals – cleaners – in the aquarium. Fish such as Otocinclus affinis and Theodoxus snails will effectively rid the pond of xenococcus.
- Regularly clean the leaves of plants from green deposits where they have not yet had time to become firmly attached.
All these actions will only be effective at the beginning of algae growth, when spots are just starting to appear on plants. In more advanced cases, when xenococcus clearly suppresses the growth of flora, a different approach is needed.
The multifunctional Sidex copes well even with advanced stages of xenococcus. It effectively destroys all algae spores and disinfects decorative items and filtration devices. This product can be purchased at almost any pet store. It should be added at a rate of 20 ml per 100 liters of water. The course of treatment should be 7 to 14 days, depending on the stage of algae development.
In addition to Sidex, you can use algaecides from any manufacturer. These substances quickly and effectively deal with algae. The dosage for each solution is indicated individually on the packaging.
So, green deposits on the glass and decorations are not a death sentence for your aquarium. It is its way of telling you that the balance has been slightly disturbed. Xenococcus is a common inhabitant of almost any body of water, and its appearance should be taken as a signal for a small adjustment, not as a reason to panic and pour chemicals into the water.
Most often, the reason lies in excess light or an incorrect light spectrum, especially if the lamps are old. Sometimes it is due to excess nutrients that remain in the water after feeding the fish. In essence, algae are simply taking advantage of your generosity.
Fighting algae is primarily a matter of returning to the basics. Gradually reduce the length of daylight hours and check whether it is time to replace the lamps. Do not overfeed the inhabitants and regularly maintain the aquarium. Mechanical cleaning with a scraper is your main weapon in the early stages.
The main thing is to be patient. Changes in the aquarium's biosystem do not happen instantly. By gradually adjusting the conditions, you will deprive the green algae of its advantages, and it will cease to be a problem. A beautiful, clean aquarium with bright plants and healthy fish is a perfectly achievable goal.
