Macroalgae for Aquascaping

C. prolifera is a wonderful, versatile specimen. It has a gorgeous lime green color, and long fronds that move in the current. It’s appearance is very similar to seagrass.

Fronds are approximately 4-5 inches long. This alga can be a gorgeous background plant. If placed in the foreground, it could be kept thin enough to allow the viewer to look through it, to increase a sense of depth.

Macroalgae is a joy to work with: It grows quickly enough to keep our interest, it comes in wonderful textures and colors, and if we make a mistake in pruning, it forgives quickly.

When pruning these specimens, some common traits arise. Macroalgae can easily be trained to stay in a general area. Turn the runners toward the way you want them to grow, push the end under the substrate or place a shell or rock on the end.

When clipping a stalk, pinch the area between your thumb and forefinger to break the cell wall. This can decrease the release of the alga’s inner contents. Running activated carbon during and after pruning is good practice.

Here’s are a few algae specimens that make great additions to a planted tank:

C racemosa is another strong grower in a plant specific tank. A light shade of green, it draws attention as a focal point or can be a great background specimen.

Best kept in a spot where it can be easily maintained, it has the capacity to shade slower growers.

I have been able to find 3 species very similar to this specimen. We can use these different morphs of the same texture to add depth, by putting smaller “grapes” behind, and using colors variations to increase the illusion.

C. serrulata has an interesting razor tooth pattern, giving it a funky common name.

It grows slower than the previous mentioned algae specimens, for those who prefer less pruning. Again, a medium light green color makes a great background plant. Not a great trailing plant, growth patterns are more upright and bushy.

C. articulata is a medium quick grower, slower than some. It’s beautiful lime green color, and long fronds make it an excellent fore or background plant.

On the side of a tank, it can make a wonderful frame to an aquatic garden. Fronds are approximately 4 inches.

C. peltata has a wonderful trailing growth pattern. It’s medium green color looks striking covering a rock, or substrate.

Again, there are a few species with a similar texture and differing sizes of “suction cups”. A medium growing macroalgae, if it has competition in a planted tank.

Miscellaneous Genera

Hypnea viridis is a low, slow growing species. It is great for a foreground plant. An unusual color, different lighting spectrums make it appear in shades of blue and purple.

Chlorodesmis fastigiata AKA Maidenshair, is a slow growing focal point. It’s gorgeous, lime green color and short growth pattern make it a wonderfully eye catching foreground plant.

Covering a large rock or branch, this specimen would be a spectacular rival for the freshwater version of moss. It grows just a few centimeters long.

Halymenia saccata’s flamboyant color makes a strong showing in any tank it inhabits. Growth pattern is upright, can be “trained” to provide coverage for any situation a hobbyist could request.

It does have a bright, light red color that makes it serve well as an interesting focal point.

Botryocladia, a large genus with similar textured algae.

This genus can make a good accent, background or fore ground plant.

Chaetomorpha is a large genera with many species. Some are suitable for aquascaping. This species is

slow growing and has a low habit. Could make a great foreground plant for those with patience.

Penicillus nodulosus,

AKA Shaving Brush, is a wonderful, low growing alga. A medium green color, it’s interesting shape can be a focal point in itself.

Acrosorium :

This gorgeous dark red alga can be a wonderful background accent to any planted tank. A strong grower, this alga is accepted readily by herbivores and is usually accepted by local fish stores for credit for future purchases. This alga can have many uses for the aquatic hobbyist.

Portieria

Ventricaria

Ahnfeltia plicata (Hudson) Fries

Ahnfeltia plicata

Gymnogongrus

Laurencia

Cryptopleura ramosa

Bryopsis plumosa

Caulerpa lentillifera

Mychodea terminalis

Ptilocladia pulchra

Helminthocladia australis

Galaxaura cliftonii

Udotea