Dichotomaria spathulata

Dichotomaria spathulata

CARE : Easy, undemanding under normal reef conditions

GROWTH : Medium, once settled

INVASIVE? : Not invasive, as it grows in a dichotenous form from a main holdfast

LIGHTING : All

FLOW: Medium to high

VARIATION : Lower light levels result in deeper purple red colouration, resembling the colour of an aubergine. Higher flow results in a more compact colony.

HOLDFAST ATTACHMENT TIME : Slow(months)

NUTRIENT UPTAKE : medium

SPECIES INFORMATION:

Often referred to as 'Flat Galaxaura' with its scientific name meaning spatula like, referencing its flat dichotenous growth tips.

This species is localised and sporadic in Western Australia and has a very unique growth form with fronds curving downward, a similar growth form to what would be seen in a weeping willow.

One of the few species apart from Fucheau sp. that displays a deep red/purple under lower light rather than the traditional lighter reds seen in Gracillaria species. Fronds are calcified but not brittle making it a hardy unpalatable species to most herbivours. 

It is a steady grower but not a species that affords us the luxury of taking many cuttings from yearly.

 CUTTING INFORMATION:

This is one of the species we take smaller cuttings from as it establishes best from new thallus growth, rather than mature stock. Being hardy it is also very easy to grow from these smaller cuttings.

You will receive a 5cm main thalus cutting, dichotenously branched into a 'Y' shape at the tip.