Unresolved Strange Stringy Algae? (UPDATE)

Idk, john not knowing would have me terrified lol.

That's like a doctor looking at something on your person and saying he doesn't know what it is.

 

Okay, so I tried peeling it and it is definitely attached to the rocks. Something interesting I noticed is that when I tried to peel it it peeled just a outer layer of whatever it is, so the strand is still there, only thinner.

That's exactly how I felt when he told me that.

 

Bump

 

Do you only see them at night? If so do they pull into the rocks when light hits them?
If so could be Digitate Hydroids.

 

No they sit there all day and night. It looks like algae and it's attached to the rocks but it's not growing close together like Hair Algae would. They grow a few inches apart from each other. They only move with the current. I'm pretty sure it's algae but I just can't figure out what type it could be.

 

Bumpiddy bump

 

Cam I can not find anything, but I have been looking. It may have to grow out more.

 

I really do appreciate it, Corailline It's hard to pull off of the rocks so I guess growing it out is the only option I have right now haha

 

So I let it grow out. This is what it looks like now.

 

From what I gather, there are hundreds if not more varieties of algae. The best you might be able to do is to identify the more common one. Even among a species there can be variations that make it look more like another species. I'm thinking that usually treating the symptoms is the way to go. Getting an effective cuc, raising mg with Kent magnesium, plucking, reducing nitrates and phosphates, ect. Really the only way to know for sure is microscopic and/ or genetic testing. Maybe sending a sample of to a university?