|
Aquarium
Care Information |
Scientific Name: Penicillus
Dumetosus
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
|
Very
similar in shape to P. Capitatus, this variety is more heavily
calcified and features a short stem, with coarse bristle-like
filaments. These particular plants grow much larger than other
species of Penicillus, up to 8" tall. Also characteristic of
this calcareous algae is that the top is more tapered and flat. It
is abundant on the reef flat and
among sea grass beds. It's 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 to depths of 40 ft. In the aquarium the mature
plant often dies to produce new plants at it's 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 invertebrates.
