Caulerpa mexicana
Let your reef grow wild, jungle style.
What You Get
Caulerpa mexicana is one of the hardiest and most versatile green macroalgae for marine aquariums. Its deep green, segmented fronds look like miniature tropical foliage, creating the feel of an underwater jungle or lush garden wherever it is planted.
Each frond grows from a creeping rhizome and is divided into tight, evenly spaced segments with slightly rounded tips. In higher flow it tends to form compact, tidy fronds that hug closer to the substrate. In calmer conditions, the segments stretch into broader leaflets that can reach up to about 6 inches in height, giving a fuller, more leafy appearance. We collect this species from shallow protected areas in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic, where it anchors to rock, rubble, sand, or mud.
Why It’s Algaesome
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Jungle aesthetic: Deep green, segmented fronds create a natural, leafy backdrop that feels like a tiny underwater forest.
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Adaptable growth: Grows compact in turbulent environments or stretches into broader leaflets in calmer water, so each portion reflects where it was collected and how it is kept.
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Hardy and forgiving: Often found in varied light, including under ledges and along seawalls, which makes it very adaptable in aquariums.
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Good nutrient uptake: Provides reliable export of nitrates and phosphates when trimmed and removed on a regular schedule.
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Burial friendly: Like other Caulerpa species, the rhizome can be gently buried in the sand bed if desired.
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Needs mindful pruning: Responds well to trimming, which keeps the “jungle” controlled and helps reduce the chance of any reproductive events.
Sizing & Availability
Each portion of Caulerpa mexicana includes multiple rhizomes totaling approximately 6 to 12 inches in length, with several growing fronds and growing tips. Because it is a hardy, commonly encountered species in our collection areas, it is generally available, although fullness, segment spacing, and leaflet size will vary with season, habitat, and flow conditions at the collection site.
Traits
Color Deep to medium green
Ease Easy; hardy and adaptable
Classification Green macroalgae (Caulerpa)
Nutrient Uptake Good
Availability Regularly collected
Use Refugium and display
Lighting Low to 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 mexicana is a steady grower that benefits from regular pruning. Trimming sections of the fronds and rhizomes helps maintain the shape of your underwater jungle and supports nutrient export. Like other Caulerpa, this species can reproduce through sporulation. Keeping growth in check, providing stable lighting and water quality, and avoiding sudden large changes in conditions all help reduce the likelihood of a “going sexual” event in the aquarium.
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.
