Macro algae : Caulerpa taxifolia

Caulerpa taxifolia

CARE : Easy, undemanding under normal reef conditions

GROWTH : Fast, once settled

INVASIVE? : Not invasive, as easily removed by lifting its holdfast, does require maintenance though and pruning if kept as a display species, due to its fast sprawling growth.

LIGHTING : Medium 

FLOW: Medium, requires movement in large bed to stop debris accumulating between fronds.

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

HOLDFAST ATTACHMENT TIME : Very fast (Days once settled)

NUTRIENT UPTAKE : Exceptional.

SPECIES INFORMATION:

A great macro algae for nutrient control, also adored by micro brittlestars. A strong contender for use when creating a refugium. Widespread now in most tropical oceans from the Caribbean to the Indo-Pacific. Often forgotton, its feather like fronds provide great structure and interest in a display aquarium, especially when paired with gorgonians and other soft corals in a lagoon system.

Caulerpa taxifolia, as with most Caulerpa species grows via a  'runner like' holdfast system under the substrate, sending up the characteristic long blade like fronds at regular intervals. Fronds are capable of reaching a length of around 15cm.

This species does extremely well and is great for a refugium if grown in a 'miracle mud' or equivalent substrate medium, failing this it will grow with its holdfasts buried into normal aquarium sand or even without a substrate.

 CUTTING INFORMATION:

You will recieve an actively growing holdfast runner with a minimum of 5 adult bladed fronds actively growing from the runner.