The Family Alteromonadaceae
The Alteromonadaceae are a diverse family of bacteria widely distributed in marine environments.
These aerobic heterotrophs can grow on a wide variety of different nutrients including carbohydrates and amino acids. Bacteria in this family can degrade a variety of polysaccharides produced by algae. In the ocean these often bloom in response to algal blooms, indicating they grow well on algal derived nutrients.
They’re generally associated with high-nutrient environments, and their levels in the reef tank are a useful metric for evaluating the overall nutrient environment of the tank.
Alteromonadaceae on coral reefs
Bacteria from the family Alertomonadaceae are widespread on coral reefs, where they are most strongly associated with algae.
Studies of corals overgrown with algae have found that Alteromonadaceae levels increased in algal-dominated corals. In nutrient enrichment experiments, nutrients derived from algae promoted growth of Alteromonadaceae more strongly than coral-derived nutrients or seawater controls.
Based on these observations and their known metabolic capabilities we interpret Alteromonadaceae levels primarily as a signal of algal biomass – this may reflect nuisance algae or macroalgae intentionally grown for managing niturogenous nutrients.
Alteromonadaceae in reef tanks
Bacteria from the family Alteromonadaceae are present in nearly all reef tank samples.
The family Alteromonadaceae is one of the most abundant groups in the reef tank microbiome, making up about 5-10% of the community.
The free-living Alteromonadaceae are generally more abundant in the water column than in the biofilm community.
Read more
Wikipedia: Alteromonadaceae
OBIS: Alteromonadaceae
Adjusting your Alteromonadaceae levels
-
Increasing your levels
-
Increase algal biomass (e.g. macroalgae refugium)
-
Dose nutrients directly (carbohydrates, amono acids, phytoplankton)
-
Decreasing your levels
-
Deep cleaning: manual removal of nuisance algae
-
Reduce feeding of algal products, and reduce dosing of similar nutrients
Testing your tank for Alteromonadaceae
Our standard Microbiome Test includes information on the levels of Alteromonadaceae in your tank.
This family rapidly blooms in response to high nutrient levels, including nutrients we don’t test for in the aquarium hobby. Because they can grow on such a wide range of different nutrient types, their levels are useful for evaluating the overall nutrient environment in your tank.
Test your tank today and find out what your microbiome says about your tank’s nutrient levels!