[1] Rapid recolonization is probably due to the ability of Acanthophora spicifera to regrow from even small amounts of residual tissue and the high rate of reproduction.

[1] Acanthophora spicifera is a palatable and highly preferred food for herbivorous fishes in Hawai‘i and has been found in the mouths of green sea turtles.

All experiments showed a substantial initial decrease in algal density, but the long-term effect was minimal because of rapid regrowth.

The most promising removal method was the use of submerged shelters to raise local densities of herbivorous fishes.

However, the large number of predators and absence of topographical structure will make it challenging to provide sufficient shelters to increase the herbivorous fish population (biocontrol) in the entire fishpond.