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What is Red Algae?

Brendan McGuigan
Brendan McGuigan

Red algae is one of the largest phyla of algae, with more than 5,000 distinct species. They are almost exclusively multicellular marine algae, and many of the common seaweed varieties people eat belong to this group. They can be contrasted primarily with brown and green algae, and should not be mistaken with the phylum Dinoflagellata, which are algae that cause the so-called red tide.

People may also talk about red algae when what they are referring to is red slime algae. This is actually a type of cyanobacteria, and not a true algae at all. Often, red slime algae is looked at as being a link between bacteria and the true algae, and it is more than three billion years old. Although red slime algae is not particularly attractive physically, it is one of the most important things on the planet. It is responsible for an enormous amount of oxygen creation, and it is thought that if red slime algae didn’t exist, the skies of earth would not be blue.

Carrageenan powder, which is often made from red algae.
Carrageenan powder, which is often made from red algae.

True red algae are red because they all contain a specific pigment, phycoerythrin. This pigment absorbs blue light and reflects red, giving the algae its color. This is an evolutionary device to allow it to grow at slightly greater depths than other types of algae, as blue light penetrates water better than longer-wavelength light. While a number of species are a deep red, so it is obvious what group they belong to, others have relatively small amounts of phycoerythrin, and high amounts of chlorophyll in them, which can make them look more blue or green.

There are more than 5,000 distinct species of red algae.
There are more than 5,000 distinct species of red algae.

There are certain types of algae that actually play a pivotal role in creating reefs. There are some atolls in the Pacific in which the reefs actually owe a great deal more of their development to red algae than to coral. These types, known as coralline algae, built up a layer of carbonate, much like coral, around themselves. This helps reefs to form around them, and in some cases these algae reefs can be enormous.

Red algae is extremely easy to grow and is often harvested for eating in many parts of Asia.
Red algae is extremely easy to grow and is often harvested for eating in many parts of Asia.

Many types are also used as food throughout the world, especially in Asia. They are consistently very high in nutrients and, like other algae, are extremely easy to grow. This makes them an ideal food source, as for a minimal level of upkeep huge amounts of food can be produced. Nori is one very famous species of red algae, and it is cultivated throughout the world, especially in Japan. Nori is an important seaweed in cooking, particularly in creating sushi rolls.

Nori is one of the most popular species of red algae, made famous by its role as the edible wrapper in sushi.
Nori is one of the most popular species of red algae, made famous by its role as the edible wrapper in sushi.

Irish moss, or Chondrus crispus, is another major food red algae, grown throughout the Atlantic ocean. It is one of the major sources of carrageenan, which is used in many foods and drinks as both a stabilizer and a thickener. People can find carrageenan in many things like ice cream and non-dairy frozen desserts. In the Caribbean, the red algae is used directly to make a drink with sweet and condensed milk and flavoring over ice.

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Discussion Comments

Comparables

@ Cougars- ad a few Pacific Turbo Snails to your tanks and give them a few months. They will definitely mow down that algae (if it is the same stuff that I am thinking it is). The algae is almost impossible to remove with fish because they do not scrub the rocks like the snails do. Good luck and I hope you get your tank clean.

cougars

I have a horrible case of red algae in my saltwater aquarium and it is the worst thing in the world. I have torn down the tank twice, scrubbed everything down by hand, let the tank and pumps dry out, but the algae still keeps growing back. I think the stuff came as a hitchhiker on some of the rock that I got, but none of the fish in my tank will touch the stuff. This is the worst case of algae, and the tank looks horrible. It's frustrating having such a nice tank, but having it look so ugly. Someone please help. What kinds of creatures can I put in my tank that will get rid of this stuff? My rabbitfish, and my foxface have both lost interest, besides they barely put a dent in it any way. Does anyone have some ideas!!!

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    • Carrageenan powder, which is often made from red algae.
      By: lculig
      Carrageenan powder, which is often made from red algae.
    • There are more than 5,000 distinct species of red algae.
      By: irisphoto1
      There are more than 5,000 distinct species of red algae.
    • Red algae is extremely easy to grow and is often harvested for eating in many parts of Asia.
      By: Shakzu
      Red algae is extremely easy to grow and is often harvested for eating in many parts of Asia.
    • Nori is one of the most popular species of red algae, made famous by its role as the edible wrapper in sushi.
      By: T.Tulik
      Nori is one of the most popular species of red algae, made famous by its role as the edible wrapper in sushi.