{"product_id":"caulerpa-prolifera-macroalgae-reef-genetics","title":"Caulerpa Prolifera Macroalgae - Reef Genetics","description":"\u003c!-- topshelf-caulerpa-seo:v1 --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCaulerpa prolifera macroalgae grows long, flat green blades from a creeping horizontal stolon, creating a natural seagrass-style look.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is a hardy choice for planted refugiums and controlled marine displays, where active growth takes up dissolved nitrate and phosphate and shelters small crustaceans. The blade form roots into sand or rubble with rhizoids, so placement should be planned before the colony spreads.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCaulerpa Prolifera quick care facts\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eScientific name\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cem\u003eCaulerpa prolifera\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eCommon name\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlade Caulerpa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eAlgae group\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGreen macroalgae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eCare level\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEasy, with active pruning and containment\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eLighting\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHigh, white or full-spectrum\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eWater flow\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate to high\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePlacement\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSand-bed refugium or contained macroalgae display\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eGrowth form\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCreeping stolons with long flat leaf-like blades\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eGrowth rate\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate to fast once established\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePortion sizes\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGolf Ball: 2–3 inches; Soft Ball: approximately 5 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy grow Caulerpa Prolifera?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLong blade-like fronds create movement and a shallow-lagoon appearance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrowing tissue takes up nitrate and phosphate; regular harvesting exports the stored nutrients.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRunners and blades provide protected habitat for copepods and amphipods.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHarvested growth may be accepted as supplemental forage by tangs, rabbitfish, and other herbivores.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLighting, flow, and nutrients\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide high white or full-spectrum light and moderate-to-high circulation that moves the blades without uprooting the runner. Keep nitrate and phosphate measurable and avoid abrupt salinity, temperature, or lighting changes. Prolifera uses nutrients from the water column; its rhizoids are anchors rather than true feeding roots. Add iron or trace supplements only as part of a tested dosing plan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eRefugium or display tank?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProlifera is especially effective in a refugium with sand or small rubble where the stolon can anchor. A display can work when the aquascape is designed as a managed macroalgae garden, but runners can penetrate rock and spread beyond the intended area. Use a removable tray or isolated substrate, keep blades away from corals, and intercept fragments before they enter return pumps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePruning and nutrient export\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThin mature blades and complete sections of runner before the bed becomes overcrowded. Removing harvested tissue is what completes nutrient export. Work slowly and capture loose pieces rather than chopping the colony into many fragments. A regular schedule keeps light and flow reaching the base, limits self-shading, and makes sudden dieback easier to spot early.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTroubleshooting and sexual reproduction\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaling, translucent blades, patchy discoloration, unusual fine projections, or sudden cloudy water can indicate stress or a reproductive event. Remove affected material immediately and support filtration, aeration, and skimming while testing water quality. Preventive care centers on regular thinning, consistent light, stable salinity, and avoiding abrupt nutrient starvation. A continuous or reverse photoperiod may reduce risk but is not a guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Caulerpa Prolifera compares\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/caulerpa-racemosa-macroalgae-reef-genetics\"\u003eCaulerpa Racemosa\u003c\/a\u003e produces compact grape-like branchlets and a denser mound, while Prolifera produces broad blades and a meadow effect. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/red-ogo-gracilaria-macroalgae\"\u003eRed Ogo Gracilaria\u003c\/a\u003e is a red Gracilaria that remains loose rather than sending rhizoids into substrate. Prolifera suits reefers who specifically want an anchored green macroalgae and are prepared to manage its runners.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePortion sizes, acclimation, and responsible ownership\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSelect a Golf Ball portion around 2–3 inches or a Soft Ball portion around 5 inches. Temperature-acclimate the sealed bag, rinse in discarded saltwater, inspect it, and place the healthy stolon against sand or rubble. Begin under reduced light and increase gradually. Never release Caulerpa or tank water into nature. Check local rules first; live Caulerpa is prohibited throughout California.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePairs well with\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/illumagic-pixel-refugium-dalua\"\u003eIllumagic Pixel Refugium Light\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/h80-tuna-flora-refugium-led-light-kessil\"\u003eKessil H80 Tuna Flora Refugium Light\u003c\/a\u003e for growth-focused lighting, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/nitrate-aquarium-test-kit-salifert\"\u003eSalifert Nitrate Test Kit\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/phosphate-aquarium-test-kit-salifert\"\u003eSalifert Phosphate Test Kit\u003c\/a\u003e for avoiding blind nutrient swings, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/live-mixed-copepods-tisbe-apocyclops-reef-genetics\"\u003eReef Genetics Mixed Copepods\u003c\/a\u003e for habitat seeding, and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/trace-colors-c-iron-trace-500-ml-red-sea\"\u003eRed Sea Trace Colors C\u003c\/a\u003e only when testing and system needs justify supplementation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- \/topshelf-caulerpa-seo:v1 --\u003e","brand":"Top Shelf Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Golf Ball","offer_id":52810603692330,"sku":null,"price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Soft Ball","offer_id":52810603725098,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0783\/0873\/7322\/files\/BN5A7599.jpg?v=1790881897","url":"https:\/\/topshelfaquatics.com\/products\/caulerpa-prolifera-macroalgae-reef-genetics","provider":"Top Shelf Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}