Freshwater Algae | Easy Identification Of

: Often Diatoms . They contain fucoxanthin and have silica in their cell walls, making them look like tiny shards of glass under a microscope. 3. Use Quick Field Tests

: Likely Blue-Green Algae ( Cyanobacteria ). They contain phycocyanin. Note: Some like Nostoc form firm, jelly-like "freshwater grapes" attached to rocks. Easy identification of freshwater algae

: Sites like the NIWA Algae ID Guide and the Landcare Research Guide provide visual references for different habits. : Often Diatoms

: If you can pick up the algae with a stick and it hangs like hair, it is likely a filamentous green alga. If it is slimy and slips off immediately, it may be cyanobacteria . Use Quick Field Tests : Likely Blue-Green Algae

: Fresh blooms often smell like freshly mowed grass; older, decaying blooms may smell like rotting garbage.

First, look at how the algae is structured in the water. Most common types fall into these three categories:

: These are large and "plant-like" but lack true roots and leaves.