Caulerpa prolifera

(Forsskål) J.V.Lamouroux 1809

Tape Algae

Range: Tropical West & East Atlantic Ocean and also the Mediterranean.

Natural Environment: Inhabits shallow, sandy areas in lagoons and backwater areas, and sometimes found in seagrass beds.

Aquarium Suitability: Grows similar to C. mexicana, yet has a flat non-segmented tape-like and vertical, slightly curled leaf. The leaf length varies, usually 4 - 8 inches (10 - 20 cm). Sometimes a second leaf will start growing from the main leaf. Most herbivores will eat it, and I consider it one of the best green foods for some tangs and angelfish! However it's prone to sexual reproduction disintegration if not diligently pruned.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Chlorophyta

Class: Ulvophyceae

Order: Bryopsidales

Family: Caulerpaceae

Genus: Caulerpa