Halimeda copiosa

Goreau & E.A.Graham 1967

Vine Halimeda

Range: Tropical Western Atlantic Ocean: Caribbean south to Venezuela.

Natural Environment: Inhabits bays, forereefs, and steeply sloping surfaces and grows in large bunches where its strands/vine-like growths can reach several feet.

General Husbandry: This calcareous species is only occasionally seen in the trade. Prefers medium to indirect light. Besides needing a calcium level near that of Natural Seawater (NSW), about 400 ppm, it appears to do better if alkalinity is maintained between 3.5 - 4.5 meq/l or even slightly higher.

When this alkalinity range is maintained have seen these species algae grow in my aquariums at a rate of .25 inch (.6 cm) per day. It's a good species for aquariums with grazers such as Tangs because the calcareous makeup of the plant helps keep their digestive system free of blockages. H. discoidea, and H. incrassata are other aquarist favorites.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Chlorophyta

Class: Ulvophyceae

Order: Bryopsidales

Family: Halimedaceae

Genus: Halimeda

FYI: Often called Cactus Algae or Money Plant.