Please Id this macroalgae

[rbonin]

Would somebody mind giving me an Id on this macroalgae? I am thinking it is some type of Caulerpa, but can anyone provide a specific species?

This is in my main tank right now. Should I remove it, or just keep it trimmed back? TIA.

~Rick~

 

[moore_rb]

Caulerpa Racemosa, probably the most common form of caulerpa in the hobby.

You will want to keep it harvested, because it grows very fast, and consumes a lot of nutrients in the process. At some point it could grow so large that it starves itself and dies, leading to a "Caulerpa crash" and a great big mess in your tank....

 

[rbonin]

Thanks, I believe you are correct. This form has flattened disk-like heads rather than globular ones.

I am going to keep it pruned back to avoid it taking over - it does grow quickly.

 

[moore_rb]

Yeah, I've seen the flattened heads, and the more rounded heads, sometimes both types on the same algae strand. there doesn't seem to be any ryhmme or reason to the shape of the bulbs....

 

[SeanT]

Definitely Caulerpa racemosa.Here is a nice ling for some info.
http://www.fishpalace.org/C_racemosa.html