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Green Spot Algae
Coleochaete orbicularis
Plantae›Chlorophyta›Chlorophyceae›Coleochaetales›Coleochaetaceae
📍 Worldwide in freshwater
Hard, dark green circles on glass and slow-growing plant leaves — familiar to virtually every planted tank keeper. Caused by low phosphate (counterintuitively) and high light. Nerite snails are the most effective control. A small amount is considered normal and harmless.
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Quick Facts
- role
- nuisance / normal
- cause
- low phosphate, high light on glass
- control
- Nerite snails, raise phosphate slightly, reduce light
Water it likes
- ph
- 7.0–8.0
- hardness
- 6–20 dGH
- temperature
- 68–82°F (20–28°C)
Legality
No state or federal restrictions on record for this species.
Not legal advice, and possibly incomplete or out of date. Rules vary by state and locality and change over time — always confirm the current regulations with your state wildlife or agriculture agency before buying, keeping, or shipping this species.