Caulerpa mexicana Care Guide
Caulerpa mexicana is a feather-shaped marine green macroalga common on Caribbean reefs, used in refugiums to export nitrate and shelter inverts.
Overview
Caulerpa mexicana is a marine green macroalga in the family Caulerpaceae with flat, feather-like (pinnate) fronds rising from thick runners. Like all Caulerpa it is a coenocytic single-celled organism. It is valued in refugiums for fast nutrient uptake and as shelter for small invertebrates.
Taxonomy
- Family: Caulerpaceae
- Genus: Caulerpa
- Scientific name: Caulerpa mexicana Sonder ex Kützing, 1849 (WoRMS AphiaID 144468)
- Common synonyms: Feather caulerpa
Habitat
The species occurs in tropical and subtropical seas, including the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, where it grows in shallow water along rocky shorelines, in seagrass beds and on coral reefs. Flat dark-green pinnate fronds arise from thick green rhizome-like runners; fronds typically reach about 15-30 cm.
Aquarium requirements
- Placement: midground / refugium
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- Specific gravity: 1.024-1.026
- pH: 8.0-8.4
- dKH: 8-12
- Lighting: medium
- Role: nutrient (nitrate/phosphate) export
Growth and care
Caulerpa mexicana is fast-growing and easy, absorbing nitrate efficiently in a refugium. Harvest regularly and keep lighting consistent to reduce the chance of the alga going sexual. The genus produces defensive secondary metabolites such as caulerpin.
Propagation
Propagation is by division of runners and fragmentation; pieces with intact runner tissue re-establish quickly.