The year 2014 begins with the introduction of a new species in the reef aquarium world. This time it’s an aglae and yet we are happy about it since it’s a good chap this time.
Blue Hypnea (Hypnea pannosa) is an iridescent blue ornamental algae. Though similar in appearance to Ochtodes sp. algae from the Caribbean, this species originates from Micronesia and has slightly different morphology. Blue Hypnea grows in very dense, matted clumps that loosely anchor to coarse substrates. It is not a particularly fast growing algae so containing its growth is not difficult. We recommend moderate to high, full spectrum lighting for optimum coloration and growth.
H.pannosa is an abundant shallow-water macroalgae that is widely distributed throughout the tropics and subtropics. The color of this species spans the rainbow – brown, orange, red, green, purple, or blue depending on genetics and environmental conditions like lightning. ORA recommend strong lighting to preserve the stunning blue coloration of their newest propagated product.
Like other macroalgaes, Hypnea will grow under a broad variety of light levels and qualities but will appear its best when given an intermediate coral-intensity of light. People often think macroalgae can get by with less light, which is true, and also true of corals, but all photosynthetic creatures basically do finest when given the environment they need. In all significance, macroalgae needn’t be consigned to refugiums. There are a lot of macroalgae that are very gorgeous and would make for good decorative pieces in the display tank. We’d love to see more species imported and grown within the hobby.
Another factor needed keeping and growing the Blue Hypnea algae, probably Hypnea pannosa, is that like all algae belonging to the Rhodophyta or Red Algae phylum, they need a lot of iodine. If you grow Hypnea and want to keep it in crest appearance, you’ll want to make regular additions of some form of iodine supplement. In a packed directory of captive bred fish and corals and clams, the fact that ORA decided to offer a macroalgae ought to signal how eye-catching the blue Hypnea algae can look. As far as decorative macroalgaes go, blue Hypnea algae is a worthy addition to nano reefs, refugiums, macroalgae scrubbers and the few saltwater planted tanks out there.
As a side note: Hypnea pannosa is in fact an edible species that is sometimes prepared in salads or Hawaiian poke, though we don’t advise eating livestock from captive aquariums.