Green spot algae, or xenococcus, is a bothersome algae that many aquarium hobbyists deal with. These microscopic green dots frequently tamper with the beauty of your underwater world by showing up on decorations, glass, and even plant leaves.
The first step in eliminating xenococcus from your aquarium is to understand why it appears there. This algae grows best in conditions where there is an imbalance in the water’s quality, nutrients, or lighting. Knowing the reasons will help you take the necessary steps to keep your tank looking its best while reestablishing equilibrium.
We’ll look at easy and efficient ways to treat and avoid xenococcus in this article. You can have an attractive, healthy, and spotless aquarium with the appropriate methods.
Description
A single-celled colonial algae is called Xenococcus. Colonies of Xenococcus are round, green, flat spots that can merge to form a continuous layer covering the surface as they grow larger. Because of their compact structure, algae colonies are challenging to eradicate from their growing environment. In an aquarium, xenococcus inhabits hard surfaces that are stationary, such as glass, ornaments, and taller plants. The algae favors plant species with slow growth rates and shade tolerance. Since Xenococcus grows slowly, it has no effect on species that grow quickly.
Reasons for the appearance
It is thought that xenococcus spores are constantly present in aquariums, but algae only start to grow quickly when the biobalance is upset. Food, decorations, soil, plants, and water from tainted reservoirs can all harbor Xenococcus bacteria. Algae grow when there is an overabundance of nitrogen compounds in aquarium water. The following are the causes of xenococcus’s appearance in the aquarium:
- lack of phosphorus, as a result of which the plants stop developing and absorbing nitrogen; the content of nitrates in the water increases, and algae begin to grow;
- daylight hours over 10 hours;
- low carbon dioxide concentration (less than 15 mg/ml);
- starting a new aquarium where biological equilibrium has not yet been established and the plants" metabolism is slow.
How to get rid of xenococcus in an aquarium
The goal of combating xenococcus in an aquarium is to make the environment unsuitable for algae growth. Keep in mind that eliminating it entirely won’t be feasible in a pond with bright lighting. However, a variety of makeshift methods can greatly lower the quantity and rate of colony growth.
First, you should adjust the lighting regime and normalize the carbon dioxide content in the water. Daylight should be 9-10 hours (during the fight, it can be reduced to 6-8 hours), and the CO2 level should be 15-20 mg/ml. It is recommended to use lamps with a color temperature of 6000-6500 K (cold white light). Lamps that emit yellow light provoke the growth of algae. In addition, it is necessary to regularly feed the plants with fertilizers containing phosphorus. They are added at the rate of 0.5-1.5 mg of phosphates per 1 liter of water. It is important to replace 20-30% of the tank volume with fresh water weekly to avoid the accumulation of nitrogen compounds.
Any colonies of algae that appear need to be removed right away. Certain fish and snail species can eat the green dots on aquarium plant leaves. If there is significant harm, the plants are discarded. A scraper can be used to remove the green dots from the glass. The decorations and aquarium apparatus (sprayer, filter) are taken out of the tank and given a brush cleaning.
Plants that grow quickly, such as hornwort, elodea, and Vallisneria, can be planted in aquariums. They will deprive the algae of nutrients as they grow by using the nitrogen compounds that have accumulated in the water. Furthermore, these plants will shade slower-growing species that prefer the shade, preventing the light-loving xenococcus from procreating on their leaves.
If these measures do not help, you should fight algae by adding special preparations to the water. You can use various algaecides; they effectively destroy all algae formations in the reservoir, but do not eliminate the cause of their appearance, so soon after their use, the colonies will grow again. Experienced aquarists advise using "Sidex" – a combination of glutaraldehyde with a fine-grained activator. This product disinfects the entire aquarium, including fish and plants, effectively destroys not only algae cells, but also bacteria, fungi and viruses. It should be used with caution, adding to the water exactly according to the instructions, and in no case exceed the recommended dosage (18-20 ml per 100 liters of water). "Sidex" is added to the reservoir for 7-10 days; if necessary, the duration of treatments is increased.
It is impossible to mechanically remove older xenococcus colonies due to their rigid structure and higher density. Use a syringe to inject them with algaecide to make them softer. Erythromycin and hydrogen peroxide are additional processing aids.
Take note! Keep in mind that certain medications can be harmful to plants and fish when taking them. They are only used in the most dire circumstances in this regard, and the guidelines are closely adhered to.
Focus on keeping your aquarium clean, maximizing light exposure, and adjusting nutrient levels to effectively combat xenococcus. Controlling nutrients, minimizing excess light, and doing routine water changes can all help stop this bothersome algae from growing out of control. A healthier and more attractive aquarium can be achieved by keeping xenococcus under control with the addition of fish or snails that consume algae.
Prevention
Maintaining conditions in the artificial reservoir that are detrimental to the growth of lower plants while simultaneously promoting the development of higher ones is necessary to stop the formation of algae. There should be no more than 10 hours of daylight and a CO2 concentration of no less than 15 mg/ml. Water changes, siphon-cleaning the soil, and applying phosphorus fertilizers on a regular basis are crucial. Don’t forget to add aeration and filtering. Fish and mollusks that consume unicellular algae can be added to the aquarium.
| Problem | Solution |
| Green algae on glass and plants | Reduce lighting duration to 6-8 hours daily |
| Excess nutrients in water | Perform regular water changes and reduce feeding |
| Poor water circulation | Improve filtration and increase water flow |
| Lack of live plants | Add fast-growing plants to absorb excess nutrients |
Although controlling xenococcus in your aquarium may appear difficult, it is certainly doable with the appropriate strategy. Maintaining these algae under control requires regular care, such as appropriate filtration and regular water changes. Remember to keep an eye on your lighting because too much light can promote the growth of xenococcus.
Adding fish or invertebrates that consume algae can also aid in the natural decline of xenococcus. It may take some time for these methods to yield results, but persistence will pay off. Remember, patience is essential.
