purple Algae

Hi all
on my trip to the Eastern Cape i came along this little stream teaming with life. Virtually thousands of crabs, fish (Galaxia?) and all sort of insect life.
I also found this purple algae. It is not a reflection this is the actual colour! Anybody know what it is and if it would grow CONTROLABY in a tank.
The stream was about 18 degrees and the water was drinkable but very slightly braak

 

Very beautiful but looks like some kind of toxic waste experiment.

Cant be to bad though with all the life around it. Any 3 eye creatures?

 

As i said the water is drinkable. A little further up, the stream forms a big water-body.

 

The hulk peed in the river when no one was looking ....
I think it would grow in a tank but controlably i dont think so

 

were about was this?

 

Thats pretty wierd looking-did u take a sample? Pretty colour tho

 

Hi
one can actually see 2 different algae one which was floating all over the place and this purple one which was just on 2 or 3 places as far as i could see and no did not take sample. Was on my way to holiday.
Its somewhere between George and uniondale

 

You could, if you've got a spare tank, take a sample and try and culture it and see what happens... if it doesn take over the tank then you could prob move it to your other set ups?

I would be interested to know why the floating green algae doesnt colonise the areas where the purple algae exists? Are those areas where the flow of water is stronger?

 

Hi Kiazer
I don't know if the purple algae is not underneath the floating stuff. As i said, just before the area you see on the pic there is a big waterbody (200x20m) and i saw more smaller rock pools. Sadly didn't had enough time to really explore the stream (impatient better half:blink1 but i might be able to go back there soon and maybe take your advise.