Turbinaria sp.

A very unique and interesting brown macro algae that grows in several different forms worldwide. Turbinaria turbinaria (pictured right) and Turbinaria tricostata both feature a tall main branch that bears clusters of triangular shaped leaves. The clusters are tough and rubbery, attached by a single holdfast to rock and hard bottom in moderate to highly turbulent water. Turbinaria ornata (below) is similar, but lacks the tall main axis and grows as small tight clusters firmly attached to rocks. The teeth on each leaf are more pronounced and have a more rounded appearance. The algae can actually be used as an effective bait to catch tangs and other herbivores in Hawaii. It typically grows in very shallow water, to about 10 feet. It's often completely exposed during low tide. Although they're hardy, they can be challenging to grow in the aquarium and require brightly illuminated tanks with high flow to mimic it's natural environment. It's a difficult algae to find and so is rarely offered for sale in the United States. It was once common in some areas of the Florida Keys but is now considered rare in our area. 

Scientific Name: Turbinaria sp.

Common Name: Spike Weed

Origin: Caribbean, Hawaii, Indo-Pacific

Depth Collected: 3 - 15 feet

Maximum Height : 12"

Growth Rate: Slow

Light: High

Temperature: 68-78

Propagation: Fragmentation, Sporulation

Difficulty: Advanced

Food Value: Not Palatablee to some fish

Nutrient Uptake: Fair

Flow Rate: Moderate to High

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