Dictyosphaeria cavernosa - Snakeskin Bubble Algae Imposter
The green snakeskin of the reef.
What You Get
A bold, bubble algae imposter that brings instant reef texture. Dictyosphaeria cavernosa forms firm, rounded lobes that look like sculpted green coral or rigid Sea Lettuce with a veined, snakeskin surface when viewed up close.
Each lobe is lightly calcified with a crisp feel and a delicate network of bubbles and veins. In the wild it clings to rock and rubble in shallow water, and in the aquarium it brings a clean, natural edge to rockwork and open faces that need structure.
Why It Is Algaesome
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Highlights: Veined, marble-like surface and sculptural rounded lobes that stand out on rockwork.
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Display friendly: Most herbivorous fish and inverts tend to leave it alone, so it holds up as a long term focal piece.
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Simple care: Prefers moderate to bright light and steady flow to keep its surface clean and defined.
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Manageable growth: Can be trimmed back occasionally if it begins to creep over nearby rockwork.
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Nutrient helper: Offers fair nutrient uptake and extra surface area for microfauna when used alongside faster exporters.
Sizing and Availability
Each specimen measures approximately 3 to 4 inches in diameter with natural variation in shape, contour, and texture. It may arrive attached to small pieces of rock, sponge, or other substrate. Availability is regular, although individual forms will vary by collection site.
Traits
Color Natural green
Ease Easy
Classification Green macroalgae
Nutrient Uptake Fair
Availability Regular
Use Display macro
Lighting Moderate to bright
Flow 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.
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.