Caulerpa ashmeadii (Giant Feather Caulerpa)
Like a giant beanstalk for your reef (and it doesn't mean Jack for tank chaos).
What You Get
Giant Feather Caulerpa, Caulerpa ashmeadii, is a large feather or fern like species that looks like something out of a fairytale. Tall, upright blades rise from thick rhizomes, with rounded, segmented fronds that can reach blade widths of about 2 inches and heights of 10 to 14 inches under good conditions.
In the wild we encounter this species from the edges of channels and sea grass beds to offshore sandy bottoms, typically between about 5 and 50 feet. It has a deep to medium green color and a bold, architectural presence that instantly gives a tank a more mature, grown in look. You will receive a portion that is approximately 10-12 inches in total rhizome length with around 4 to 6 healthy blades.
Why It Is Algaesome
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Giant feathered look: Tall, segmented fronds create the impression of an underwater beanstalk or fern grove instead of a low mat of macroalgae.
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Slow to moderate growth: Due to its large size, this species grows more slowly than many other Caulerpa and is far less likely to take over rockwork or overwhelm a tank.
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Deeper water origin: Often collected from channel edges and deeper sandy bottoms, so it handles moderate light and slightly calmer, stable conditions very well.
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Good nutrient uptake: Still provides useful nitrate and phosphate export when pruned and harvested, just at a more measured pace.
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Placement flexibility: Thick rhizomes can be tucked into rock crevices, anchored in rubble, or gently buried in the sand bed to create a tall backdrop or focal clump.
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Fish interaction: Some herbivores may nibble at the fronds or rhizomes, but most do not heavily graze it, which helps it maintain its upright shape.
Sizing and Availability
Each portion of Caulerpa ashmeadii includes a thick rhizome section of about 10-12 inches in length with roughly 4 to 6 blades attached. Individual blade height typically ranges from 8 to 12 inches in aquariums, with some specimens eventually reaching around 14 inches under strong, stable conditions. Because this is a deeper water species, availability may shift with season, weather, and channel visibility, but it is a regular part of our collection when conditions allow.
Traits
Color Deep to medium green
Ease Easy; hardy and slower growing
Classification Green macroalgae (Caulerpa)
Nutrient Uptake Good
Availability Collected regularly when deeper sites are accessible
Use Display and refugium
Lighting Moderate; full spectrum preferred
Flow Low to moderate
A Note from the Collectors:
Every macroalga we offer is hand collected, acclimated, and observed by our team before shipping. While we carefully try to remove other algae, sponges, and tiny hitchhikers, it is possible that a few “goodies” from the reef may tag along... it is a natural part of receiving genuine wild collected specimens.
Caulerpa ashmeadii is a gentle giant compared to many other Caulerpa species. It grows from thick rhizomes and produces large blades, but it tends to expand at a slower pace and is much less likely to carpet an aquarium. Regular pruning is still important. When trimming, pinching and removing sections of the rhizome and blades is often preferred so that a minimal amount of internal fluid is released into the water. As with all Caulerpa, sensible pruning, stable lighting, and steady water quality help reduce the chance of any reproductive “going sexual” event and keep the colony looking tidy and controlled.
Many macroalgae may arrive paler or slightly stressed from transit. This is normal. Under good aquarium lighting and flow, color and vigor usually return within a few days.
We ship via 2 Day service on Mondays and Tuesdays only to help ensure specimens arrive healthy. Tracking information is provided as soon as your order ships.
