Cymopolia barbata

An interesting species of calcareous algae that is abundant in the Florida Keys and throughout the Bahamas. It features heavily calcified, segmented stalks attached by a single holdfast. The fuzzy tops have bright green filaments at each tip that have a wonderful glow to them in the aquarium. The tissue doesn't like to be disturbed and will leach pigment when handled or torn. This is a shallow water specimen that often forms dense forests in the tidal zone attached to hard bottom, rocks and coral fragments. Calcium supplementation is needed, as with all species of calcareous macro algae. It doesn't always hold up well under aquarium conditions as it needs quite a bit of flow to replicate it's natural environment. The base of the algae is not palatable to fish or invertebrates but the fuzzy appendages are usually on the menu. 

This species should not be buried in the substrate but can be mounted to rock or frag plugs with glue, fishing line or placed on top of the sand bed.

Scientific Name: Cymopolia barbata

Common Name: Tufted Joint Weed

Origin: Bahamas, Eastern Caribbean

Depth Collected: 1-10 Feet

Maximum Height : 6"

Growth Rate: Slow

Light: High

Temperature: 76-86

Propagation: Fragmentation, Sporulation

Difficulty: Moderate

Food Value: Somewhat Palatable

Nutrient Uptake: Fair

Flow Rate: Moderate to High

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