Grape Caleripa..How to get rid of it???

[Shane and John]

So about a year ago or so i bought 120lbs of Marshall Island live rock from a fellow reefer who had to break down his display due to moving.When i got the rock there was no signes of caleripa...Now it is going crazy and am having a hard time keeping it under controll,Spreading like a weed...Is there any way to get it to stop growing or anything to eat it to help control it? We have two Tangs that dont touch it....Thanks in advance for any input.....Shane!

 

[Curtswearing]

It's hard to remove many Caulerpa's. They are unicellular so even if you remove most of the thallus, all it takes is for you to miss some of the holdfast which will then regrow a new thallus.

The different species of Caulerpa contain toxins (secondary metabolites) in varying degrees. The major toxin, Caulerpenyne, is particularly bad in C. taxifolia and C. prolifera. That's why most fish won't eat it, why it's taking over some coral reefs, and why all Caulerpa's are banned in California.

With the above said, a blow torch over where the holdfasts are attached works wonders. Unfortunately you have to take apart your aquascaping for this method.

 

[Coral Ranch]

if your tank is large enough I've found vlamingi tangs and most rabbit fish will clear out leaf and grape caulerpa along with most brown leafy types in no time at all.