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Aquarium
Care Information |
Scientific Name: Penicillus
Capitatus
Common Name: Mermaid's
Shaving Brush
Origin: Atlantic,
Caribbean
Depth Collected: 1-30 Feet
Maximum Height : 8"
Growth Rate: Moderate
Light: Moderate
to High
Temperature: 76-86
Propagation: Fragmentation,
Sporulation
Difficulty: Easy
Food Value:
Not Palatable Nutrient Uptake:
Fair Flow
Rate: Low to Moderate
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An
attractive, calcareous algae that is abundant on the reef flat and
among sea grass beds commonly referred to as Mermaid's Shaving
Brush. It features a thick stem with a rounded, fine filament top.
Its root-like
structure is a large bulb with a series of rhizoids that anchor it
to substrate and sometimes rocks. Mature plants reach a height of
about 8" and 2"-3" in diameter. It occurs in shallow calm
protected water to depths of 30 ft. In the aquarium the mature
plant often dies to produce new plants at the base. Like most calcareous stem
plants, it needs a deep sand bed of 4" or more to grow in the
aquarium. Calcium
supplementation is needed. Not palatable to fish or invertebrates.
