Saltwater Aquarium Plants

There’s only a few plants like algae can be cultivated in saltwater aquarium, but the results can often be highly attractive. These species can be quite big and do not present any problems. These hardy plants take in nutrients over practically all their surface area.

Mediterranean Algae
Some species native to the Mediterranean coasts can acclimatize themselves to tropical aquariums. If you remove them from their natural setting, it is advisable to take not only the alga but also part of its support, usually a rock.

Codium Bursa (Codiaceae)
The felt ball codium forms a sphere with a diameter that can exceed 25 cm. It grows very slowly and the biggest specimens unfurl. This species likes strong light.

Codium Vermilara (Codiaceae)
Its felt-like appearance and bottle-green color are the distinguishing features of the felt codium. This species prefers well-lit areas. Size: 20 cm.

Udotea Petiolata (Udoteaceae)
Like the above, the udotea prefers poorly lit settings and grows on sand or rocks. Size: 3-20 cm.

Ulvas and Enteromorphs (Ulvaceae)
These algae are common on European coasts. They do not last for long in an aquarium, but are useful as food for marine fish with herbivorous tendencies.

Caulerpas (Caulerpaceae)
The caulerpas are green algae (Chlorophyceae) found in the tropics. There are several dozen species, but only a few are found in aquariums. They consist of a filamentous runner, which attaches itself to a support by means of rhizoids (or anchoring feet).

The fronds extend from these rhizomes, their shape varying according to the species. Caulerpas grow quickly in an aquarium; the runner can sometimes increase its size by several centimeters per week.

Caulerpas like moderate lighting and clear, well-circulated water. Vegetative multiplication takes place through the division of the runner, where young fronds appear. In addition, a fragment of this alga can give rise to a small seedling. Sexual reproduction is rare in an aquarium.

The Tropical Culerpa Arrives in Temperate Waters

It was thought that tropical caulerpas could not tolerate northern climes (around 10-23°C). In 1984, however, the Caulerpa taxifolia species was found off the coast of Monaco, occupying a few square meters. Since then it has proliferated wildly and, 2 according to some estimates, now covers over 80 km  in the Mediterranean, stretching from the Spanish island of Majorca to Croatia. Furthermore, the plant grows up to six times the size found in the tropics!

The morphology of C. taxifolia is similar to that of C. serularoides, and it grows quickly, often to the detriment of other plants, Particularly Posidonia oceanica, a genuine but increasingly rare flowering plant. C. taxifolia contains toxins that could cause food poisoning in humans, although no case has yet been reported.

This is logical, as this alga is only eaten by a few fish, and these are not eaten by humans. The caulerpa invasion can be held in check - at the moment it seems impossible to eliminate it completely – by sending down divers to collect it by hand or with suction pumps, but this involves vast expense. Other solutions proposed include releasing copper ions toxic to these plants, dumping tons of salt on them, or sending in a fleet of caulerpa-eating snails.

A huge research program is underway to evaluate the propagation, distribution, and influence of this alga in the Mediterranean. Where does it come from? The aquarist community has been blamed, on the assumption that it was accidentally thrown into the sea, but (like other tropical algae) it could also have been introduced on ships' anchors and hulls.
This invasion shows that certain species, especially the tropical ones, can survive else-where, and so aquarists must be careful when they throw out water; in any case, it is best not to use this alga in aquariums, the other two species being good alternatives.

Saltwater Introduction

Cover all we need to know about saltwater, so we can keep marine fish.

Aquarium Supply

Lot of things we should prepare to start saltwater aquarium!

Aquarium Setup

Steps to be taken before the aquarium ready to receive
fish and operate.

Marine Fish

Detail about saltwater fish species. For beginner also expert.

Invertebrates

They difficult to keep, although there are some suitable for hobbyist.

Plants

There’s only a few of them, but the results can often be highly attractive.

Aquarium Maintenance

Get to know, how to maintain your aquarium daily to have
a good balanced.

Quick Tips

Maintenance Tips

Essential regular activity to provides a stable, healthy environment for fish!

10 Basic Rules

Follow this rules for a Successful Saltwater Aquarium.