A unique species of Penicillus that features a tall thin stem with fine tapered filaments and a flattened top. This particular species can grow much taller than other species of Penicillus, up to about 8″ . It’s abundant on the reef flat and among sea grass beds. Its root-like structure is a large bulb with a series of rhizoids that anchor it to substrate and sometimes rocks. It occurs in shallow calm protected water, but is also found as deep as 100 ft. In the aquarium the mature plant often dies to produce new plants at its base. Like most calcareous stem plants, it needs a deep sand bed of 4″ or more to grow in the aquarium. Calcium supplementation is needed. Not palatable to fish or inverts.
Scientific Name: Penicillus pyriformis
Common Name: Shaving Brush
Origin: Atlantic, Caribbean
Depth Collected: 1-30 Feet
Maximum Height : 8″
Growth Rate: Moderate
Light: Moderate to High
Temperature: 76-86
Propagation: Fragmentation, Sporulation
Difficulty: Easy
Food Value: Not Palatable
Nutrient Uptake: Fair
Flow Rate: Low to Moderate