Glossary

algae

A large and diverse group of simple, typically autotrophic organisms, ranging from unicellular to multicellular forms and including seaweeds, diatoms, and Spirogyra. They're photosynthetic, like plants, and the majority are aquatic.

Used in 410 species profiles

Related terms

algae crab
Loose term used to describe any type of crab useful in an aquarium because it eats algae and/or diatoms. In marine aquaria this would include Sally Lightfoot, Emerald and various species of hermit crab. In freshwater the micro-crab Limnopilos naiyanetri fills the same role.
algae shrimp
Somewhat misleading vernacular name for the freshwater shrimp Caridina multidentata Stimpson 1860, a popular addition to freshwater aquaria due to its reputation for consuming algae, though in reality it is unable to survive on a diet of algae alone. Formerly referred to as C. japonica De Man 1892 (that name is now regarded as a junior synonym of C. multidentata) and also known as the Amano shrimp. Exhibits an amphidromous life cycle in nature and is thus difficult to breed in captivity, though it has been achieved.
algal bloom
A population explosion of unicellular algae, normally resulting from an increase or excess of available nutrients.
allelopathy
A biological phenomenon by which an organism produces one or more biochemicals that affect the growth, survival, and reproduction of others. Typical in certain plants, algae, bacteria, coral, and fungi.
autotroph
An organism capable of synthesising its own food via inorganic light or chemical energy, e.g., green plants, algae.
bloom
A population explosion of phytoplankton such as algae.
chlorophyta
Division of mostly freshwater eukaryotic algae, informally referred to as chlorophytes and containing the true green algae and stoneworts under modern systems of classification. Like higher plants members possess chlorophylls a and b and store food as starch.
chloroplast
A chlorophyll-containing plastid found in the cells of green plants and some algae within which photosynthesis occurs.
coral reef
Erosion-resistant aquatic structure formed from living corals, their rock-like skeletal secretions and calcium carbonate deposits from other organisms such as calcareous algae, molluscs, and protozoans.
coral sand
Sand originating from marine environments via bioerosion of the calcareous skeletal structures possessed by some organisms. Coral is not the chief constituent, however, with the majority of material deriving from foraminifera, calcareous algae, molluscs, and crustaceans.
cyanobacteria
Phylum of generally blue-green coloured bacteria, often confused with algae, that obtain their energy via photosynthesis and include unicellular and colonial species. Some species occur commonly in aquaria where they're normally regarded as pests.
diatom
Large group of algae often referred to as 'brown algae' in relation to aquaria. Most are unicellular but there also exist colonial types. Very common component of phytoplankton.
diatoms
Plural of diatom.
diverse
Differing from one another; exhibiting variety.
eutrophic
Having water rich in nutrients, thus promoting the growth of plants, especially algae.
infusoria
Collective term for certain members of the protozoan Phylum Ciliophora, of which it is considered a subclass in certain classification systems. Members naturally inhabit infusions of decomposing organic material and some are cultured by aquarists in order to feed very small fish fry. The name was formerly applied to a much larger group of aquatic microorganisms which also included some other protist groups and unicellular algae.
microorganism
Organism that can be seen only with the aid of a microscope. Typically unicellular, e.g., baceria, protozoa, some algae.
periphyton
Sessile, aquatic organisms that live attached to submerged surfaces in aquatic environments. Often complex in form and may comprise organisms from several groups including algae, cyanobacteria, other microbes, and detritus.
photosynthesis
Chemical process occurring in the cells of plants, algae and certain other organisms by which carbon dioxide is converted into organic compounds, especially sugars, using the energy from sunlight.
phytoplankton
The photosynthesizing constituent of a planktonic community, consisting of algae, cyanobacteria and other microorganisms.
plankton
Any organism, or more typically, collection of organisms drifting freely in a body of water. Used in reference to both microscopic, e.g. algae, fish larvae, and larger, e.g. jellyfish, organisms.
rhizoid
Rootlike, filamentous structure used for attachment to a substrate and uptake of nutrients in mosses, ferns, and related plants, plus certain algae and fungi.
Rhodophyta
Division of eukaryotic algae containing thousands of species, most of which are multicellular and inhabit marine environments, e.g., many seaweeds.
zooxanthella
Any member of the yellow-green algae genus Symbiodinium, comprising unicellular, flagellate protozoa that exist within the cells of other protozoa and some invertebrates, especially corals. They thus form an endosymbiosis in which they can provide up to 90% of the host's energy requirements.

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