Portieria sp. - Caribbean Lace Algae
The reef’s lace from the Caribbean seamstress.
What You Get
A semi-rare red macroalga with fronds shaped like underwater lace. Portieria forms delicate, branching tufts with patterned tips that ripple in the current and add fine, intricate texture to the aquascape.
We collect several variations of this macro from both the Gulf and Atlantic. Deeper Gulf forms have a looser webbing with open, airy fronds, while Atlantic and shallow Gulf specimens grow more compact with tighter, highly detailed lace patterns. What you receive will depend on what we have been able to collect, especially because it is a rarer macro to find.
In aquariums, all species typically settle into a rich crimson red, though wild pieces can show orange to golden tones depending on depth and light at the collection site.
Why It Is Algaesome
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Highlights: Lace-like fronds that bring elegant motion and fine detail to display tanks.
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Palatability: Usually ignored by herbivorous fish and inverts, allowing it to hold as a long term feature.
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Care: Prefers bright light with moderate to strong flow. Handle gently to protect the branch tips. The compact Atlantic form can trap sediment, so maintaining flow or gently swishing the fronds helps prevent decay in those areas.
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Nutrient uptake: Offers fair nutrient uptake and pairs well with faster export macros when nutrient control is a primary goal.
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Color: Deep crimson in tanks, with natural variation from red to orange and yellow hues in the wild.
Sizing and Availability
Each specimen measures approximately 4 to 6 inches tall, with natural variation in fullness and lace structure. Looser Gulf forms tend to appear taller and more open, while compact Atlantic forms feel fuller and more intricate. Availability is seasonal and offered in limited runs when conditions are favorable.
Traits
ColorRed, with orange to golden tones possible
EaseEasy
ClassificationRed macroalgae
Nutrient UptakeFair
AvailabilitySeasonal
UseDisplay macro
LightingBright
FlowModerate to strong
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.
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, and color usually returns within a few days under good aquarium lighting and flow.
We ship via 2-day service on Mondays and Tuesdays only to help ensure specimens arrive healthy. You will receive a notification with tracking information as soon as your order ships.
