Halymenia spp. – Red Sea Lettuce Species
The reef’s red ribbon dancer.
What You Get
A soft, gelatinous red macroalga with smooth, flowing blades that move like silk in the current. We collect several native Halymenia species from Florida and the Caribbean, including H. floridana and H. floresia. Forms range from compact rounded fronds to long ribbonlike sheets, depending on depth and light. Expect rich crimson to orange red under aquarium lighting and natural variation in texture and shape.
Why It Is Algaesome
-
Highlights: Ribbonlike movement that creates a soft, flowing focal point in reefs and lagoons.
-
Palatability: Very palatable to tangs and angelfish and a favorite natural graze macro.
-
Care: Moderate to high flow helps keep fronds clean and prevents detritus from settling. Anchor gently or allow to tumble in refugiums.
-
Nutrient uptake: Good uptake that helps manage nitrates and phosphates while providing graze and shelter.
-
Color: Bright red to deep crimson in tanks, with orange or yellow tones under lower light. No fluorescent tips like Indo-Pacific varieties.
Sizing & Availability
Each specimen measures approximately 6–8 inches, with natural variation in fullness and blade shape. It may arrive free floating or lightly attached to small substrate. Availability is regular during most of the year.
Traits
ColorBright to Crimson Red
EaseEasy once established
ClassificationRed Macroalgae
Nutrient UptakeGood
AvailabilityRegular
UseDisplay, Refugium, Food
LightingLow to Moderate
FlowModerate to High
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!
Many species may arrive paler or whitish in color. This is completely normal. Macroalgae shift their pigments inward during transport to protect from light and stress; color returns within a few days under good aquarium lighting and flow. We carefully select and pack only our best-looking Halymenia before shipping, but this group is naturally more sensitive to temperature and lighting changes in transit. Because of its delicate nature and historically inconsistent shipping performance in the hobby, we are not able to honor DOA claims on any Halymenia species. Thank you for understanding and giving these beautiful ribbons their best chance to thrive once settled in your system!
We ship via 2-Day service on Mondays and Tuesdays only to ensure specimens arrive healthy. You’ll receive a notification with tracking information as soon as your order ships.
