Algal factsheet: Iron bacteria (eg Leptothrix) (Comamonadaceae)

Diagnostic features

Filamentous bacteria forming red-brown fluffy growths. The filaments may be too narrow to see the cell walls, even with a light microscope.

Slow flowing waters where there is a source of iron

Heterotrophic bacteria, not photosynthetic algae (which include the Cyanobacteria).