Staghorn algae appear as thick grey hairs on the edges of leaf margins. They can be hard to remove by hand. They differ from BBA (Black brush algae) in that BBA has a finer texture and usually darker color.

They can be trigger by tank instabilities that cause plants to be stressed – such unstable CO2 levels or irregular fertilization or a spike in ammonia/organic waste levels such as skipping water changes in a tank that has previously been on a stricter water change schedule.

Staghorn algae is commonly found attached to the edges of slow growing plants.

COMMON CAUSES

• Spike in ammonia/organic waste levels
• Stressed plants/old growth
• Change in tank regime that causes temporary instabilities

SOLUTIONS

• Have a regular maintenance/water change schedule
• Have a regular fertilization schedule and stable CO2
• Pruning and replanting of healthy tops, discard old growth
• Spray or apply Excelwith paintbrush directly on algae
• Don’t panic – it may be temporary and will pass

Watch video on how to change water for planted tank.