New type of ‘rock snot’ found in Connecticut

On Wednesday, March 9, 2016, the state Department of Environmental Protection announced a new species of “rock snot” found in the Farmington River, one of the state’s best trout streams. It’s called “rock snot” because of the slimy, greenish-yellow algae attaches itself to rocks. less On Wednesday, March 9, 2016, the state Department of Environmental Protection announced a new species of “rock snot” found in the Farmington River, one of the state’s best trout streams. It’s called ... more Photo: Connecticut DEEP Photo: Connecticut DEEP Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close New type of ‘rock snot’ found in Connecticut 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Send out a breaking news alert and stop the presses, the state has announced the discovery of “rock snot,” a new species of microscopic algae in Connecticut.

It’s called “rock snot” because the slimy, greenish-yellow algae that attaches itself to rocks looks like nasal mucus.

According to the state Department of Environmental Protection, “rock snot” first made headlines when pristine New Zealand trout streams became overrun with thick sticky mats of a diatom, Didimosphenia geminata also known as Didymo for short.

“These mats are comprised of multiple individual stalks, each supporting one or more coke bottle shaped cells. Didymo is not native to New Zealand, and it was hypothesized that it was transported inadvertently by a fisherman’s boots or fishing equipment. This incredible growth sparked concern worldwide about Didymo and possible negative consequences to trout waters around the globe,” DEEP said in a release.

The first sighting or this type of “rock snot” was spotted by angler who saw what appeared to be a small tuft of Didymo in the West Branch of the Farmington River in upstate Barkhamsted. The river is one of the most celebrated trout streams in New England.

DEEP announced Wednesday that Dr. Diba Khan-Bureau, professor at Three Rivers Community College and DEEP’s Mike Beauchene, supervising fisheries biologist with the Inland Fisheries Division, have discovered a new species of microscopic algae in Connecticut. The two announced their world discovery in an article published in the European Journal of Phycology (the study of algae).

“Khan-Bureau and Beauchene have revealed a new species to the world, Didymosphenia hullii, and a species new to Connecticut, Cymbella janischii. Both belong to a notorious group of microscopic algae collectively termed ‘Rock Snot.’” DEEP said.

With trout season starting April, DEEP urges West Branch Farmington River anglers to be “extra vigilant about Check, Clean, and/or drying any items that have come into contact with the river water or the river bottom.” It said “Didymo is currently blooming, creating thick mats. This algae can easily be spread from water to water as it can remain alive for long periods of time even when slightly moist. Cleaning your equipment is critically important if you plan to move to additional waters, within a few hours or the same day, after being in the West Branch Farmington River.”