Plant ID

lbuur · 02-10-2007, 01:48 PM

Does anyone have one of these growing in their tank? It is the one that is growing close to the top right of the picture, it has lots of gray/green leaves. If so could you help ID, I think that it's a weed, it certainly is growing like one. Thanks!

beach bum · 02-10-2007, 03:29 PM

I forget the type of caulerpa that is, have to look it up. But it is commonly called razor caulerpa.

beach bum · 02-10-2007, 03:31 PM

Caulerpa serrulata

lbuur · 02-10-2007, 04:00 PM

Thanks, I looked it up, and yes I am pretty sure that is the razor form. Now my question is, Is this okay to have growing in my tank? Or how far should I let it grow?

beach bum · 02-10-2007, 06:08 PM

it is a simple variety to prune and usually is easy to inhibit 'going sexual' or releasing it's spores into your tank (causes a mess). Just prune it back every so often to a restricted area and keep it from overgrowing. Usually it is an overabundance of the algaes that cause them to have any problem. It is good for your tanks health for a number of reasons and I personally like the look of it in soft coral and FO tanks.

Just make sure to keep it in a confined area with regular pruning - it grows pretty fast, especially in high flow areas.

Jeremy1973 · 02-12-2007, 08:42 AM

Personally..I would pull it out. I had some in my tank, and now 4 years later I can't get rid of it. *cries* Razor caluerpa leaves VERY long roots. Even when you yank it, if the roots survive, you have more growing then before. This is what I did for a long time, and then it got out of control, and now.. my tank is over run with it. Never again will I have razor caluerpa in my display tank.

Just my two cents, but if you have a sump, I would keep it there. Otherwise you need to be very consistent with your pruning.