Brown
macro algae are abundant worldwide with most of their
distribution in temperate waters as varieties of Kelp.
The brown coloration is due to the brown pigment (fucoxanthin)
and individual species vary in color from yellow to dark
brown, depending on the depth. There are a few tropical
species of interest to hobbyists that are offered
seasonally. Most however, are encountered as pests in reef
aquariums and introduced on live rock. Brown algae grows
prolifically under the right conditions and certain species
can be difficult to remove, such as the highly invasive
Dictoya. |