CAULERPA MEXICANA

C. Mexicana has a deep green color with beautiful segmented fronds. It grows rather compact in turbulent environments, but can extend into larger leaflets up to 6" tall in calmer conditions. Attaches with rhizomes to rocks, coral fragments as well as sandy and mud bottoms in shallow protected areas. This species is very adaptable in the amount of light it requires to grow and is often observed growing under ledges on seawalls and intertwined with other algae. There are several species of Caulerpa that are very similar in shape to C. Mexicana but lack the tight segmented fronds characteristic of this macro algae.

Scientific Name: Caulerpa Mexicana

Common Name: Fern Algae

Origin: Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic

Maximum Height : 8"

Growth Rate: Moderate

Light: Moderate

Temperature: 78-84

Propagation: Fragmentation, sporulation

Difficulty: Easy

Food Value: Somewhat palatable to fish

Nutrient Uptake: Good

Flow Rate: Low to Moderate

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