Caulerpa sertularoides (Feather Caulerpa)
Let your aquarium take flight & and your filtration soar.
What You Get
Feather Caulerpa, Caulerpa sertularoides, is a classic refugium and display macroalga known for its long, upright, feather-shaped fronds. Each frond rises from a creeping rhizome and tapers to a slightly rounded tip, giving it a soft, fern-like look as it waves in the current.
We collect this species from the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic, and Caribbean in shallow coastal habitats, typically between 5–20 feet. Depending on flow and light, it can grow in slightly different forms (tighter, more compact “plumes” in stronger flow, or more relaxed fronds in calmer areas) but its coloration is consistently a light to medium green. You’ll receive several healthy rhizomes approximately 6–8 inches in length.
Why It’s Algaesome
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Feathery form: Elegant, fern-like fronds create a soft, flowing “forest” effect in refugiums and displays.
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Fast growth: A quick-growing macro that responds well to pruning and regular nutrient export.
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Nutrient workhorse: Excellent at taking up excess nitrates and phosphates when trimmed and removed routinely.
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Needs a watchful eye: Like other Caulerpa, this species can “go sexual” (sporulate) if allowed to overgrow or become stressed. Consistent pruning and stable conditions help keep it stable, attractive, and working for your system without taking it over.
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Versatile placement: Can be rooted in sand, nestled in rockwork, or allowed to creep along a rubble bed.
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Natural grazing: Light, tender fronds are palatable to many herbivorous fish and invertebrates, offering incidental snacking.
Sizing & Availability
Each portion of Feather Caulerpa includes several rhizomes each totaling about 6–8 inches in length. Though it is a fast-growing species common in our collection areas, the specimens vary by season with Spring and Early Summer being the best.
Traits
Color Light–medium green
Ease Easy; fast-growing, needs regular pruning
Classification Green macroalgae (Caulerpa)
Nutrient Uptake Excellent
Availability Regularly collected
Use Refugium & display
Lighting Moderate; full-spectrum preferred
Flow Low–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’s possible that a few “goodies” from the reef may tag along — it's a natural part of receiving genuine wild-collected specimens!
Feather Caulerpa is one of the more enthusiastic growers in the genus and should be pruned consistently. Keeping growth in check not only improves nutrient export, but also helps prevent sporulation (“going sexual”), a natural reproductive event where the algae can release stored nutrients back into the system. With steady lighting, stable water quality, and routine trimming, this species remains stable, attractive, and highly effective in both refugiums and displays.
Many macroalgae may arrive paler or slightly stressed from transit. This is normal. Under good aquarium lighting and flow, color and vigor typically return within a few days.
We ship via 2-Day service on Mondays and Tuesdays only to ensure specimens arrive healthy. Tracking information is provided as soon as your order ships.
