Cyanobacteria!?

[FriendlyLoach]

Hey everyone,

I saw some cyanobacteria on my java moss in my new tank. I think it is from the store I got the moss at. I have never had it so is it bad for me, my fish, or anything else, and how do I get rid of it? 

Thanks

[Eric R]

I haven't personally had to deal with this, so I can only share what I've read online. The Coop has an article on it, in case you haven't read it: https://www.aquariumcoop.com/blogs/aquarium/blue-green-algae

Has it spread at all? What are your tank parameters?

Can you post pictures of the affected java moss?

[MickS77]

I've used erythromycin and Chemi-clean red slime remover. Both worked good to get rid of it. It'll eventually choke out your plants if it gets bad enough. 

[Ken]

I had an outbreak recently and used the Maracyn I had from the Med Trio I had on hand and it took care of it. I would advise getting on it fast, it went from wondering what it was to all over the plants and wood in a few days. I followed these instructions:

https://www.aquariumcoop.com/blogs/aquarium/blue-green-algae

[FriendlyLoach]

Is it bad if my cat drinks from the tank water?!

[Colu]

If your treating with meds I would stop your cat from drinking the water incase it has a reaction

[FriendlyLoach]

Sorry, one more question. If I touch the tank water, am I in danger. Because I have touched it. 

[Plutoids Mom]

No, you're not in danger. I had a really nasty outbreak of that before I knew what it was. Never had a problem with touching it with my hands. My cat also liked to drink out of the bucket when I changed water and didn't get sick if that helps any.

[FriendlyLoach]

thanks

 

[Eric R]

There are different types of cyanobacteria, but some types do produce neurotoxins that have been known to cause dogs to die, usually from exposure at lakes or ponds where there is an active bloom occurring. I for one would 100% make sure my pets weren't drinking water with a cyanobacteria outbreak occurring. They also aren't great to expose yourself to, but as long as you wash your hands, aren't drinking the water, and aren't exposed to it repeatedly for a number of years I doubt it would cause you harm. There is research that is linking neurological disease to aerosolized cyanotoxins in people that live near regularly occurring cyanobacteria blooms.