A non-toxic algae is to blame for the hundreds of fish and other sea creatures that died or took up residence in darkened water in Collier County this week.

But just as officials discovered the cause Wednesday, the water cleared and the creatures were gone.

"Everything is starting to get back to normal," said Maura Kraus, senior environmental specialist for Collier County.

Carli Segelson, a spokeswoman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, said the bloom is 4.7 miles offshore.

Rick Bartleson, research scientist and an algae specialist with the Sanibel/Captiva Conservation Foundation, said only Collier has been severely affected, but aerial photos show darker water offshore from Sanibel to Florida Bay.

Officials aren't sure if the bloom will affect Fort Myers Beach or other areas of Lee County, although some fish turned up dead at Barefoot Beach in Bonita Springs earlier this week.

Where the bloom goes next depends on tides and currents, Segelson said.

"We will continue to be getting water samples from that area," she said about Collier County.

The next samples are scheduled July 25.
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