Macro algae : Botryocladia uvaria

Botryocladia uvaria

CARE : Easy, undemanding under normal reef conditions

GROWTH : Moderate, once settled

INVASIVE? : Not invasive due to long period of time required to form holfasts.

LIGHTING : Medium to high

FLOW: Medium to strong, requires good movement to stop diatoms growing on its fronds.

VARIATION : Higher light results in faster fresh growth and lighter colouration.

HOLDFAST ATTACHMENT TIME : Long (months)

NUTRIENT UPTAKE : Moderate

SPECIES INFORMATION:

As with all Botryocladia species this is very recognisable, with its fronds growing as dainty red bubble like vesicles adorning its branching thallus.

The the buoyancy created by these vesicles hold the main thallus and branches, upright forming nursery areas, for micro fauna and in the wild, juvenile fish.

Branching from a single main frond, capable of growing to 30cm in length. The main thallus will eventually form holdfasts into rockwork. New thalli will then sprout from the rockwork.

This species is localised and native to the Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of California and the Caribbean Sea and is a true tropical Botryocladia species.

**This species is NOT the more commonly seen Botryocladia botryoides, which is a sub tropical species found around the Mediterranean and not suited for reef aquaria temperatures***

CUTTING INFORMATION:

You will receive an actively growing single main thallus 'stem' with at least one branch from the main thallus.

Length will be around 10cm. The main thallus will be lightly calcified and taken from stock close to the main holdfast ball and as such able to differentiate into a holdfast.

You will NOT receive a cutting that is all fresh, fast growth, cuttings taken from these areas do not posses energy reserves adequate to thrive after moving to a new aquaria.