Macro algae : Mixed G.mammarillis, H.pannosa holfast plate

Gracilaria mammarillis and Hypnea pannosa mixed cutting

CARE : Easy, undemanding under normal reef conditions.

GROWTH : Fast, once settled.

INVASIVE? : Not invasive, but can spread by vegetative fragmentation so any bits broken off will grow a new colony eventually if not removed.

LIGHTING : Medium to strong

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

VARIATION : Higher light results in the Hypnea showing a deeper blue colour.

HOLDFAST ATTACHMENT TIME : Fast (weeks)

NUTRIENT UPTAKE : Good

SPECIES INFORMATION:

You can find more about each individual species on our website where they are listed as individal cuttings.

These mixed plates came about as a necessity we had for a starving mandarin fish we had given to us. Whilst our algae display tank was full of breeding copepods. The vast majority existed in the tight knit algae species in the sump of this aquarium, breeding and picking detritus from amongst their fronds. We wanted to create a solution so we could keep an eye on the mandarin in the main display, whilst also ensuring it had access to a supply of copepods.

The plastic "mandarin feeding stations" in our opinion did not tick these boxes and looked pretty dreadful sat in a tank, so we came up with the idea of growing these 2 species together. Creating an extremely tight knit frond mass, that looked good in the display but also provided a breeding ground for copepods. Hopefully, enabling the mandarin to pick off adults copepods from, all day long.

It ended up been so effective we were asked by regulars to recreate this for them and since that day we have always maintained and grown out this mix. Grown, knitted  together as part of our algae catalogue.

CUTTING INFORMATION:

You will recieve an actively growing holdfast Plate of these 2 algaes growing interwoven together. The ratio of each species in the mix will vary. Cuttings will be rested, actively growing and around 5cm x 5cm