Chaetomorpha sp.

A unique variety of green algae that is native to nutrient rich areas such as bird islands, lagoons and protected shallow waters. It features a thick, tangled mass of filaments that resemble fishing line. Chaetomorpha is very hardy in the aquarium, as it grows in the inter-tidal zone often left completely exposed at low tide. A fast grower, its use is heavily commercialized today in the aquarium industry because of its ability to quickly remove excess nutrients from the aquarium. A favorite of "reef aquarium" hobbyists, as it does not release nutrients and harmful toxins back into the aquarium. There are two distinct species available to the hobbyist today, C. linum (below) and C. crassata (pictured right). Both are excellent at filtering aquarium water. Typically its tumbled or allowed to simply float in a refugium. It should be thinned out regularly as tissue underneath will start to deteriorate. Not palatable to fish or invertebrates.

Scientific Name: Chaetomorpha sp.

Common Name: Chaeto, Spaghetti Algae

Origin: Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic, Caribbean

Depth Collected: 1-10 Feet

Maximum Height : 24" mound

Growth Rate: Fast

Light: Low to High

Temperature: 76-86

Propagation: Fragmentation, Sporulation

Difficulty: Easy

Food Value: Not Palatable

Nutrient Uptake: Excellent

Flow Rate: Moderate 

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