What Are the Benefits of Algae in Saltwater Aquariums?

There are many forms of algae growing in the aquatic world. Algae formation is an important part of the coral reef system; the algae feeds the fish in the reef. When algae forms in a saltwater aquarium, the aquarium isn't dirty. The algae in the aquarium is common in salt water. Algae provides benefits to the fish in the aquarium, and help keep the fish healthy.

  1. Algae Is a Food Source

    • One benefit of having algae in the aquarium is that it is a natural food source. Some saltwater fish eat algae regularly. If you put coral in the aquarium, and let algae grow on it, the fish will eat it just like in the ocean. This cuts down on manually feeding the fish with fish food. Some of the saltwater fish that love eating algae are foxface rabbitfish and the powder-blue surgeonfish.

    Algae Keeps Aquariums Healthy

    • Algae helps filter the water in the aquarium naturally. If the aquarium has too much or too little algae, it causes problems with fish and plant health in the aquarium. Finding the right balance for your tank takes a while. Add some algae eating sea life to the aquarium to keep excess algae from building up in the tank. Occasionally squeegee the glass, so the algae stays under control. Add a nassarius, blue tuxedo urchin, snails, sand sifting starfish or goby fish to the tank. These fish eat large amounts of algae, and keep the aquarium clear.

    Lighting for Good Algae Growth

    • Good lighting helps beneficial algae grow in salt water aquariums. Fluorescent lighting over the aquarium is sufficient for most salt water species of fish, but stronger lights are necessary if you grow plants and algae in tank. Intense light helps the algae grow in recessed areas in coral and on the rocks on the bottom of the tank. Once the algae is growing well in the aquarium, the aquarium's ecosystem works properly, and helps keep fish and plants healthy in the tank.

    Decorative Algae

    • Salt water aquarium algae makes the tank look pretty. Marine algae comes in several different colors. Red, green and brown algae are the most common colors in saltwater aquariums. If you add red kelp from the genera haliptilon and botryocladia to your aquarium, red algae will form in the tank. Marine algae makes the aquarium look bright and colorful.