Aquatic Consulting & Testing, Inc

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Golden Algae

The golden alga, Prymnesium parvum, is a unicelled aquatic organism. This species has two flagella for motility and a haptonema. A haptonema is a cellular extension that is characteristic to the class prymnesiophycae. Biologists suspect that Prymnesium parvum is a relatively new species to Arizona, and has become a major nuisance. Golden algae release toxins that cause exposed cells to burst. Fish and clams are affected when the toxin produced by the golden algae comes in contact with their gills. The toxins cause the gills to bleed and lose their ability to exchange water and absorb oxygen. Fish then die of asphyxiation.

The majority of P. parvum blooms in Arizona occur in the winter and early spring when the water temperatures range from 55-80 degrees fahrenheit. Golden algae seem to prefer more saline waters, which may help get the bloom started.

Golden Algae Links

Arizona Game and Fish Golden Algae Q & A

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department