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Last update: November 3, 2022

How to Easily Identify And Remove Green Spot Algae

Uh oh…

You see those little green spots in your aquarium?

Kinda looks like green chicken pox, right?

Well, that’s actually green spot algae.

And today, I am going to show you how to get rid of it.

What is green spot algae and how do you identify it?

Green spot algae covering a rock in aquarium

Green spot algae is named for what it looks like – small, circular green spots. Unlike most other algae, green spot algae doesn’t grow tall. In fact, it’s almost flat and hard to the touch.

Green spot algae commonly grows on objects that don’t move – substrate, rocks, driftwood and even the glass of your aquarium. If you have a slow-growing plant, then green spot algae will also happily grow on that too, where it will appear as dark green spots.

Green spot algae on surface of leaf
Credit: Aquarium Care Basics

You might notice the dreaded green spots first in the brightly lit areas of your tank. That’s no surprise, as I will cover later this guide. Too much light is actually one cause of green spot algae.

In its early stages, this algae appears as isolated spots. If you are not looking for it, it can easily be missed. Most people first notice the spots on the glass of their aquarium since it blocks their view.

The green spots look a lighter shade of green on the glass of your aquarium. This is because the light hits the algae from both sides, making it appear lighter.

If left to grow, the spots will merge together forming a blotchy carpet. When this happens, it doesn’t really look like spots at all. Fortunately, you should have noticed the small green spots appear well before this happens.

Green spot algae is often confused with green dust algae. While the two look similar, when compared side by side, the differences become obvious.

Green spot algae vs green dust algae side-by-side comparison

Green spot algae grows in distinct circular shapes that slowly merge together. Green dust algae, on the other hand, is so fine that it resembles… well… dust.

Still can’t tell the two apart? Use your finger!

If the algae easily lifts off with the gentlest of touches, you have green dust algae. If it’s stubborn, you have green spot algae.

Will green spot algae harm your fish?

No, green spot algae is harmless to your fish. In fact, some curious herbivores might even nibble on it.

Will green spot algae harm your plants?

Yes, but only if it you let it completely cover your plants. And to be fair, you should have dealt with the outbreak well before this happens.

Green spot algae completely covering the leaf of an aquarium plant

If left to do its own thing, the green spot algae will eventually cover your entire plant, blocking any light from reaching it. And as you know, plants need light for energy.

But as for a few spots? I wouldn’t consider green algae to be a major threat to your plant.

What causes green spot algae to appear?

Green spot algae on front glass of aquarium

Like with most algae, a nutrient imbalance is the cause. Many experts agree that the following two factors play the biggest role in the appearance of green spot algae.

1. Too much light

Like with many other types of algae, high levels of light, either from a nearby window or from your aquarium light, can be responsible for a green spot algae outbreak.[1]

Fixing your light levels is the easiest way to prevent green spot algae from appearing in your tank. You can reduce how long your aquarium lights stay on by using a reliable plug-in aquarium timer.

2. Low phosphate levels

Are the phosphate levels in your aquarium too low? Well, this might just be the cause of your green spot algae…

Unfortunately, you can’t tell your phosphate levels just by looking at your aquarium. To do that, you need a special water test known as an aquarium test kit – one designed specifically to analyze phosphates.

This one is my favorite…


API phosphate test kit

If your phosphate levels are near zero, then it’s likely that this is the cause of your green spot algae.

Oh, so your phosphate levels are at zero?

Well, getting rid of your green spot algae could be as simple as adding a source of phosphates, like this one.

Don’t expect your green spot algae to disappear the very moment that you add phosphates. It’s a slow process, and may take weeks before it begins to recede.

Fortunately, you can speed the entire process along using the advice in the next section…

How to get rid of green spot algae?

Green spot algae on plant leaves and rock in aquarium

Once you have dealt with the cause, it’s time to look at how you can remove these ugly spots from your aquarium.

1. Manual removal

When it comes to removing algae from the glass of your aquarium, there really isn’t a better option than scraping it off.

But don’t worry! You don’t need to buy another product to remove your green spot outbreak. In fact, the solution is actually what you buy products with.

I am talking about your credit card.

Don’t have an old credit card on hand? Any other similarly sized plastic card will work just as well.

Now, you’re going to have to get your hands wet for this next bit. Angle your credit card and slide it down the glass of your aquarium – you should see the green spot algae lift off, as if by magic.

Keep swiping until you have removed all visible signs of green spot algae from your aquarium glass. Once done, perform a water change to perform to help remove any gunk that you scraped into the tank.

If you don’t want to get your hands wet, you have two options: Wear gloves or grab yourself an algae scraper, like this one…

Algae scrubber with razorblade for aquarium glass

Essentially, this is a razorblade on a stick and will easily scrape off your green spot algae and keep your hands dry too.

Just be careful when removing green spot algae from the corners of your tank – you don’t want to accidentally slice through the silicone seal. If that happens, you’ll need to reseal your tank with an aquarium safe silicone

Or, ditch the razorblade and attach your credit card to the algae scraper. It’s as simple as drilling two small holes in your credit card.

This way, you can remove green spot algae without worrying that you will tear your silicone seal. Even so, I still advise being gentle.

To remove green spot algae from your plants, your best option is to cut off each leaf that is covered.

As for rocks and driftwood? Take them out of your tank and scrub them with a rough sponge – a hydrogen peroxide solution will kill any pieces that you can’t scrape off.

2. Algae eaters

Zebra Nerite Snail eating green spot algae

When it comes to removing green spot algae, there is only one animal that is up to the task…

The Zebra Nerite Snail

This hungry fellow has an appetite for green spot algae. Whether it’s on your glass, plants, driftwood or rocks, the Nerite will hunt it down and eat it up.

Sure, other algae eaters might give it a little nibble, but because green spot algae is hard, it takes a lot of effort for it to be a good meal. Most algae eaters give up and look for an easier feed.

If you let your green spot algae problem grow out of control, you may need multiple Zebra Nerite Snails – a single snail can only eat so much!

Oh, and remember that any algae eater that you add to your tank is going to become an extra mouth to feed. Once your Zebra Nerite has removed all the green spot algae from your aquarium, it will no longer have a food source. And, if you don’t feed your snail, it will starve.

Conclusion

Green spot algae is one of the more gentle algae that can visit your aquarium. It’s an eyesore, but it’s easy to get under control.

Some people even allow green spot algae to accumulate in their aquarium because they like the look of it. And, that’s just fine too.

But if you are like most people, you want it gone so that it doesn’t distract you from the awesome aquascape that you spent hours creating.

How did you get rid of green spot algae in your aquarium? Let me know in the comments below!

Ian Sterling

Ian Sterling, founder of Fishlab.com, began his aquarium journey over 30 years ago, driven by a deep fascination for fish and their diverse personalities. His website, Fishlab.com, is dedicated to making fishkeeping accessible and enjoyable, offering beginner-friendly guidance, expert insights, and a community for aquarists to connect and share experiences.

Comments (17)

I’m confused because up above you are saying that a lack of phosphates causes algae and yet the API test kit picture states high phosphates contribute to algae growth and harm plants. Which is it?

He Petek,

Both are true. Although API generalizes and says “algae growth” without specifying which algae. In a planted tank, particularly when dosing with ferts, a nutrient imbalance can cause algae to appear. This nutritent imbalance can go either way.

How should I go about removing it from my plants? Some say wipe it with peroxide. Would that work?

Hi Janie,

If it’s just a few leaves, my preference is to snip them off. You can try a hydrogen peroxide wipe, but green spot can be stubborn and it may not get rid of it all.

Hi once my zebra nerite snail does eat all the algae away you said you still need to feed him then what would he eat if no food source of the algae thinking of trying one or two of them! I’ve had a really hard time with the green spot algae! Thanks for all your advice and help on this subject!! That’s been great!! Just wondered if he ate fish food or something different if no algae ha lol thank you!! ????

Hi Pamela,

Snails are very adept at finding waste to eat. Even so, if you keep a well maintained tank, then there might not be enough food to go around once the green spot algae has cleared up. Algae wafers are probably the easiest way to do it. I recommend the ones from Hikari – for a single nerite, they will go a long way. Spinach and cucumbers are another tasty treat. Again, you won’t need much.

I have a crescent-shaped tank with green spot algae. Will the card still work?
Also, is there a chemical that will kill it? I have a betta fish, and am planning on moving her to a different tank, so the chemicals won’t be near her.

Hi Rowan,

Do you mean a bow-front? As in the front of the tank is curved? If so, you can achieve the same effect by scraping horizontally rather than top to bottom. Just be careful; around the silicone seals!

Thank you so much. This is a very good overview. I have been scrubbing with the long handle scrapper, and a scrub pad for about an hour. I will try the credit card- great idea!!!
Short of vacuuming the gravel, I am done for today. I think my plants are fairly beyond help and new plants might be nice. I scrubbed my wood decor but will probably try the peroxide too and rinse well???
Thanks again. Jeannie

Hi Jeannie,

Your wood decor is very likely can be saved, if you don’t want to use this as an excuse to re-decorate then it’s worth a shot!

Thank you for this great overview. I get confused because some sites say that the green spot algae is caused by too much phosphates, and others, like yours, say because there isn’t enough. Is this a case where there is supposed to be a low range? My 55 gallon is relatively lightly planted. Will be changing that soon, though, to stock it more heavily.

Hi Stan,

Unfortunately, it’s one of areas that is commonly debated in fishkeeping. My personal experience has been that in a planted tank it green-spot algae seems to be more prevalent when there is an imbalance in nutrients and phosphates are too low. If you are not battling this menace, then you should focus on dosing the right amount of nutrients for your stock levels rather than adding phospate “just in case”

Hi Iam new to owning fish and have my tank setup next to a window but the curtains are closed but we have a led light? So I am thinking we have too much light as we have now got green spot algae? Do you think natural light from the window is better than a led light for fish?

Hi Chelsea,

Natural light from the window isn’t as good as one would think. Not only does it irregularly heat the tank but also makes it prone to algae breakouts. For ease of maintenance, an internal LED light makes life easier.

I get it mostly on Anubias leaves. I have one zebra nerite in my tank and a few horned narites, but they never seem to get to the anubias leaves. I obviously can’t scrape them. Do I just need more snails? Is it just the zebra, or are horned, racer and other Narites good too?

Hi Donovan,

Are you able to manually place the nerites on top of the anubias leaves? A single nerite can only eat so much, so it’s possible a few more may help.

From experience, Zebra nerites seem to be the most interested in green spot algae. Although, I don’t have any experience with racer nerites.

If it’s only a few leaves, are you able to cut them off?

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