Green Algae (Chlorophyta)

July 29, 2008 · Filed Under Saltwater Aquarium Algae 

Believe it or not there is over 7,000 species of Green Algae, and have been split into many groups and have become easier to remember as an result.

These are the most diverse group of algae, but only 10% of them are in marine forms and they are generally the beneficial type of algae to have.

They are color green because of the chlorophyll pigments, mant are seaweeds and appear as a green cloudiness in the water. It forms a green film on the aquarium glass sometimes.

Larger ones may come in desirable plant-like shapes or less desirable hair and mat-like forms. But the most attractive are cultivated and sold as an attractive additions to the aquariums.

Popular Types

Heres a few of the popular types:

Caulerpa spp

Caulerpa

This is the most popular, hey come in a variety of colours from lime green to bluish brown.

They usually have single stalk with blade-like leaves.

Halameda spp

Halameda

Algae in that belong in this type contain calcium. They resemble underwater cacti growing as a series of circular flat plates.

The white calcium from these algae contributes to the sparkling white sand that you see on Caribbean beaches, when they die. In the aquarium, they are indication of a healthy environment.

Valonia spp

Valonia

These species of algae are what we commonly called bubble algae.

They form clusters of bubbles. They can overgrow an saltwater aquarium and should be maintained and regularly cropped.

For more types of Algae’s see below:

  1. Chlorophyta or Green Algae
  2. Rhodophyta or Red Algae
  3. Phaeophyta group - Brown Algae
  4. Diatoms
  5. A group of bacteria called the Cyanobacteria - Blue-green Algae

For general information on Saltwater Aquarium Algae click here.

Recommended Algae Products by Saltwater Aquarium Guide

Text and Photo Source: Saltwater Aquarium Online Guide

Related Posts

  • Blue-green Algae (Cyanobacteria)
    • Blue-green algae are technically not algae at all in fact they are a bacteria. Due to fact they are aquatic
  • Red Algae (Rhodophyta)
    • This group of red algae is called Rhodophyta, they consist of approx 6,000 species and most of them are marine
  • Brown Algae (Phaeophyta)
    • Brown Algae is form the Phaeophyta group and consists of around 3,000 species, which are mostly seaweeds. Their results from the
  • Diatoms Algae
    • Diatoms are microscopic cells composed of overlapping half shells of silica, which spend their lives floating in the ocean or

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    Comments

    2 Responses to “Green Algae (Chlorophyta)”

    1. Simon’s blog » Saltwater Aquarium Algae on July 30th, 2008 2:19 pm

      [...] Chlorophyta or Green Algae [...]

    2. Brown Algae (Phaeophyta) | Saltwater Aquarium Guide on August 2nd, 2008 5:20 pm

      [...] your saltwater aquarium matures, they should be eliminated naturally by plants and green algae (Chlorophyta) that will competing for [...]

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