Botryocladia occidentalis

Botryocladia is a truly beautiful specimen that does very well in the marine aquarium. It features stiff, lightly calcified branches with fluid filled air bladders to stay upright. It resembles a cluster of grapes and so is sometimes referred to as Red Grape Caulerpa, although its not related. It's found in different forms worldwide but the dominant species here in Florida is Botryocladia occidentalis. The algae can grow quite large in its natural environment to about 12" in diameter. The plant is anchored by a single holdfast to hard bottom, ledges and on artificial reefs and is found to depths of about 65'. It can be a sensitive algae to keep in the aquarium and requires a stable alkalinity, good flow and overall excellent water quality to survive. The plant is highly palatable to fish.

Scientific Name: Botryocladia occidentalis.

Common Name: Red Grape, Red Berries

Origin: Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic, Pacific

Depth Collected: 15-65 feet

Maximum Height : 14"

Growth Rate: Slow

Light: Moderate

Temperature: 78-84

Propagation: Fragmentation, sporulation

Difficulty: Moderate

Food Value: Very palatable, is readily eaten by Tangs and other herbivores

Nutrient Uptake: Good

Flow Rate: Moderate

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