{"product_id":"green-staghorn-codium-macroalgae","title":"Green Staghorn (Codium) Macroalgae - Reef Genetics","description":"\u003c!-- topshelf-macro-seo:v1 --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGreen Staghorn macroalgae (\u003cem\u003eCodium fragile\u003c\/em\u003e) forms sturdy, dark-green fingerlike branches with a soft, spongy texture.\u003c\/strong\u003e It combines ornamental structure with nutrient uptake and creates natural cover for pods. Its upright branches also make useful hitching structure in seahorse and pipefish displays when placement and livestock needs are appropriate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGreen Staghorn macroalgae 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\u003eCodium fragile\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eAlgae group\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGreen branching macroalgae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eCare level\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEasy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eLight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eWater flow\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eGrowth rate\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eBest placement\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDisplay rockwork, refugium, or seahorse system\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eNutrient export\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFood value\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVariable; less palatable than soft leafy macroalgae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePortion\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGolf Ball\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy keep Green Staghorn macroalgae?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdds durable branching structure without the loose blades of Sea Lettuce.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUses nitrate and phosphate as it grows.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShelters copepods, amphipods, isopods, and other small invertebrates.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOffers natural hitching structure for seahorses and pipefish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrown in isolation from fish and invertebrates to reduce pest and disease risk.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLighting, flow, and nutrients\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide moderate light and broad moderate flow that keeps the velvety branches clean. Green Staghorn attaches by a holdfast rather than tumbling like Chaeto. Keep salinity and nutrients stable, and avoid burying the growing branches. Because Codium can trap fine debris, inspect and gently rinse it during maintenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eRefugium or display tank?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSecure the holdfast or base in stable rockwork where the branches remain upright and clear of corals. It also works in a refugium, but its best feature is structure rather than speed. In a seahorse system, make sure the overall flow, temperature, and tankmates are appropriate for the animals—not only the algae.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHarvesting and pruning\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrune sparingly with clean scissors when branches overgrow their space. Remove damaged tissue at a healthy junction and avoid tearing the holdfast loose. This macro grows in a structured form, so repeated heavy cutting can spoil its shape. Remove trimmed fragments rather than allowing them to drift.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTroubleshooting Green Staghorn macroalgae\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDebris on the velvety surface indicates insufficient or poorly directed flow. Pale, soft, or breaking branches can follow unstable salinity, light shock, nutrient starvation, or shipping damage. Adjust conditions gradually. Codium fragile is invasive in many natural regions, so never release aquarium algae into waterways; dispose of it in household trash.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Green Staghorn macroalgae compares\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/sea-lettuce-reef-genetics\"\u003eSea Lettuce\u003c\/a\u003e is a fast leafy Ulva best used for nutrient export and fish food. Green Staghorn is slower, sturdier, and better as display structure. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/chaetomorpha-macroalgae\"\u003eChaeto\u003c\/a\u003e remains the simplest choice for a dedicated tumbling refugium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePortion sizes, shipping, and acclimation\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach order contains a Golf Ball portion grown in systems isolated from fish and invertebrates. Float the sealed bag to equalize temperature, rinse in discarded aquarium water, inspect it, and secure the base. Begin under moderate light and avoid repeated repositioning while the portion settles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePairs well with\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/auqa-gadget-chaetomax-2-n-1-refugium-led-innovative-marine\"\u003eInnovative Marine ChaetoMax Light\u003c\/a\u003e for compact refugium lighting, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/live-tisbe-copepods-tisbe-biminiensis-reef-genetics\"\u003eLive Tisbe Copepods\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/products\/live-apocyclops-copepods-apocyclops-panamensi-reef-genetics\"\u003eLive Apocyclops Copepods\u003c\/a\u003e for pod diversity, plus nitrate and phosphate test kits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- \/topshelf-macro-seo:v1 --\u003e","brand":"Reef Genetics - Live","offers":[{"title":"Golf Ball","offer_id":52140993216810,"sku":"RG-GREENSTAG","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0783\/0873\/7322\/files\/green-staghorn-macroalgae-for-sale.webp?v=1790862777","url":"https:\/\/topshelfaquatics.com\/products\/green-staghorn-codium-macroalgae","provider":"Top Shelf Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}