Dinoflagellata in Your Aquarium: The Pros and Cons

Did you know that an aquarium is a perfect way to add beautiful colors and stress-reducing ambiance to your home?

To get the most benefits from your aquarium, you need to make certain that the water remains healthy and clear. One of the biggest concerns for saltwater tanks is dinoflagellata.

Certain types are important to an aquarium's ecosystem but other types cause problems that are tricky to fix. Learn more about the advantages and disadvantages down below!

Con: Reproduce Rapidly

One of the biggest problems with many types of this organism is the fact that they reproduce quickly. Even with proper aquarium care, dinoflagellata are difficult to contain once they get started.

If you're not careful, the entire aquarium could be filled with these organisms in a matter of hours.

If you suspect you're having trouble with keeping these organisms under control, make sure to check out more aquarium maintenance details here.

Pro: Necessary for Coral

It's not good for your aquarium to get rid of all the dinoflagellates. Certain types, such as zooxanthella, live in a symbiotic relationship with coral. Without it, your colorful coral might start to die.

The problem arises when other types of this organism start to blossom throughout the aquarium. With over 2,000 different species, it's vital to keep all types of dinoflagellates under control.

Con: Potential for Toxins

Within these different species are several types that produce toxins in the water. These organisms are the most dangerous of all the dinoflagellates. They could mean that you'll need to start anew with your aquarium if they get out of hand.

The good news is that one of the more dangerous species, ostreopsis, is large enough to see with the naked eye.

The best way to prevent this from happening is to keep the delicate balance of the aquarium water in perfect order. This stops the dangerous types from taking over while allowing the beneficial types to thrive without any problems.

Pro: Essential Parts of the Food Chain

Another reason why aquariums need dinoflagellata is the fact that they're at the base of many ocean food chains. Without them there to start that food chain, other parts of the aquarium will suffer.

Con: Discoloration of Water

Since these organisms reproduce so fast, they can turn your water into a murky mess. Some species even turn the water red.

This may look cool for a moment, but it's damaging to the rest of the aquarium.

Controlling Dinoflagellata in Your Aquarium Is Key to Healthy Fish

If you ever notice that the color of your water looks murky or discolored, chances are good that dinoflagellata are to blame. When it comes to clearing them from your aquarium, you'll need to be careful to not rid yourself of the helpful varieties.

Make sure to take your time with the cleaning process and use the right processes to keep your aquarium fish in tip-top shape!

Don't forget to browse through the rest of our blog for all the best ways to keep everyone in your home happy and healthy!