Gracilaria parvispora Care Guide
Gracilaria parvispora is a red marine macroalga (Hawaiian ogo) with bushy fronds, valued as tang food and as a refugium plant in marine systems.
Overview
Gracilaria parvispora I.A.Abbott, 1985 is a red alga of the family Gracilariaceae. The genus Gracilaria comprises red algae with branching thalli; worldwide it supplies the majority of commercial agar and many species are highly palatable to tangs and other herbivorous fish. In reef husbandry it is grown both as fish food and for nutrient uptake.
Taxonomy
- Family: Gracilariaceae
- Genus: Gracilaria
- Scientific name: Gracilaria parvispora I.A.Abbott, 1985
- Class: Florideophyceae; Order: Gracilariales (phylum Rhodophyta)
- WoRMS AphiaID: 374587 (accepted)
Habitat
Gracilaria parvispora is associated with Hawaii, where it is known as Hawaiian ogo. The genus as a whole occurs in warm waters worldwide with seasonal presence in temperate regions; it does not survive below about 10 °C, and its centre of diversity lies in the western Pacific where it is traditionally cultivated for agar.
Aquarium use
In marine aquaria the alga is kept in display refugiums or grazing areas. Its bushy fronds offer a high-value supplemental food for surgeonfish (tangs) and other herbivores, while its growth helps export dissolved nutrients from the system.
Tank requirements
- Water type: saltwater (marine)
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 8.0-8.4
- GH reference: 8-12 °dGH
- Lighting: medium
- CO2 injection: not required
- Growth rate: medium; height up to ~25 cm
Care and propagation
Gracilaria is propagated by division and benefits from gentle water movement to keep fronds clean. Regular harvesting, roughly every two weeks, both feeds herbivores and maintains nutrient export. The genus is known to be susceptible to the parasitic oomycete Pythium porphyrae, so unhealthy tissue should be removed.