Scenes from a BioCube 8 (Part 7)
Pictured here is a striking red macroalgae (Rhodophyta) most likely Halymenia floridana. This species is very much “kelp-like”, in that it has smooth, gelatinous, slippery blades that originate from a single holdfast (stipe). The margins of the blades are quite lacy, resulting in a gentle, undulating movement from the water current. We have found this macroalgae to be most complimentary to our aquascaping needs. It grows reliably, without being ‘weedy’, and seems to be happy to accept varying levels of light. It is our hope that in the coming years, saltwater aquarists will begin to look outside of the traditionally coral-dominated realm of reef aquaria, by integrating other attractive and ecologically important species such as macroalgae, into their displays.
Since we don’t have any fish in the BioCube 8, this alga harbors a healthy population of mysid shrimp that live happily between all the folds and undulations. It is highly amusing to watch these little buggers zoom around the surface of the blades as if it is some sort of extra-terrestrial amusement park! It’s something that we’ll have to capture on film in order to share. Coming soon…
Next part, the last part…
