OCHTODES --> What is everyone raving about?! Why not Blue Hypnea?

This particular algae is one of only a handful of purple-blue iridescent specimens available in the aquarium hobby. It features coarse, bushy, compact branches that grow as small clumps or mounds. It is considered a turf algae and will quickly overgrow its environment given the proper conditions. Species of Ochtodes are highly sought after for their beautiful color and are relatively undemanding in the marine aquarium. They are found in shallow, turbulent areas, attached to rocks, hard bottom or epithetic on other plants. In the aquarium they need relatively bright light and low to moderate current, but are adaptable to a wide range of conditions. It is known to be palatable to some fish and invertebrates, but is generally left alone in favor of a more suitable food source.

Ochtodes can grow free/tumbling or attached (rather like Gracilaria). It can also be a nuisance if you have nutrient export flaws (too much) in your system (much like other desirable and undesirable algae). Neat thing about it too... it is only dark blue/purple when kept under dim/dark illumination and/or heavy blue colored lamps (fluorescent actinics). The brighter the light you give it... the lighter in color it is ... appearing maroon, burgundy or even dingy clear under bright warm halides. This is rather common with deeper water algae like some Rhodophytes - dark red under weak light and at depth, but yellow or light orange in shallow water under bright lights. Then.... there is Blue Hypnea algae - a macroalgae worth growing for its looks Blue Hypnea is a new macroalgae from ORA which is interesting and colorful enough to be cultured in aquarium for its own sake. Not to be confused with more purple colored Ochtodes from the Caribbean, the blue Hypnea algae is an attractive algae which will look colorful but not grow gangbusters and take over any reef or coral aquarium. Like other macroalgaes, Hypnea will grow under a wide range of light levels and qualities but will look its best when given an intermediate coral-intensity of light. People often think “macroalgae” and instinctively think it can get by with less light, which is true, and also true of corals, but all photosynthetic creatures simply do best when given the environment they need. Blue Hypnea algae, Hypnea pannosa, pictured growing in Singapore. Another tip on 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 peak form, you’ll want to make regular additions of some form of iodine supplement.  In a crowded catalog of captive bred fish and corals and clams, the fact that ORA decided to offer a macroalgae ought to signal how attractive 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.

Aquarium Care Information Scientific Name: Ochtodes Sp. Common Name: Blue Ball Origin: Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Depth Collected: 5-45 feet Maximum Height: 6" Growth Rate: Moderate Light: Moderate to High Temperature: 78-84 Propagation: Fragmentation, Sporulation Difficulty: Moderate Food Value: Somewhat Palatable               Nutrient Uptake: Good Flow Rate: Moderate