A unique variety of green algae that is native to nutrient rich areas such as bird islands, lagoons and protected shallow waters. It features a thick, tangled mass of filaments that resemble fishing line. Chaetomorpha is very hardy in the aquarium, as it grows in the inter-tidal zone often left completely exposed at low tide. A fast grower, its use is heavily commercialized today in the aquarium industry because of its ability to quickly remove excess nutrients from the aquarium. A favorite of “reef aquarium” hobbyists, as it does not release nutrients and harmful toxins back into the aquarium. There are several varieties available to the hobbyist today, some hardier than others but all are excellent at filtering aquarium water. Not palatable to fish or invertebrates. Typically it’s tumbled or allowed to simply rest on the sand bed in a refugium. It should be thinned out regularly as tissue underneath will start to deteriorate.
Scientific Name: Chaetomorpha Sp.
Common Name: Chaeto, Spaghetti Algae
Origin: Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic, Caribbean
Depth Collected: 1-10 Feet
Maximum Height : 24″ mound
Growth Rate: Fast
Light: Low to High
Temperature: 76-86
Propagation: Fragmentation, Sporulation
Difficulty: Easy
Food Value: Not Palatable
Nutrient Uptake: Excellent
Flow Rate: Moderate