Dictyosphaeria cavernosa

(Forsskål) Børgesen, 1932

Green Bubble Weed

Range: Eastern Atlantic Ocean: Caribbean, and also widespread in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Natural Environment: Inhabits most nutrient-rich reef environments and is attached to rocky substrates and dead coral.

General Husbandry: Seems to flourish in rocky crevices or depressions where nutrients tend to collect. Grows well under various lighting intensities and even do exceptionally well in aquariums with very low bulk water nutrients.

Unfortunately when their membrane-like wall material wears out or ruptures, internally forming new cells/bubbles are released and can rapidly spread throughout the system. It's always wise to remove the object they are growing on and scrape it off outside the aquarium if at all possible. Otherwise, with great care while in the aquarium, try to remove without breaking them! And for more info, recommend reading my book 'The Living Marine Aquarium Manuel' (Chapter 12) which is free and also posted on this website.

Potential Control Species: Fish: Acanthurus japonicus, Acanthurus nigrofuscus, Acanthurus olivaceus, Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis, Ctenochaetus striatus, Naso brevirostris, Naso lituratus, Zebrasoma desjardinii, Zebrasoma flavescens, Zebrasoma scopas, Zebrasoma veliferum, Zebrasoma xanthurum, Siganus corallinus, Siganus guttatus, Siganus magnifica, and Siganus vulpinus

Crabs: Percnon gibbesi and Mithrax sculptus

Urchins: Diadema setosum

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Chlorophyta

Class: Ulvophyceae

Order: Siphonocladales

Family: Siphonocladaceae

Genus: Dictyosphaeria