Gracilaria spp. — Red Gracilaria
A swirl of reds from the Gulf.
What You Get
A vibrant red macroalga prized for its shape, coloration, nutrient management, and ability to feed the reef. Red Gracilaria forms dense, tangled clumps of slender fronds that sway in the current, with color ranging from cherry red to deep burgundy depending on species, lighting, and nutrients. It does well in moderate–high light and moderate flow, and can be tucked into rockwork or allowed to tumble freely in a refugium.
This hardy, versatile species thrives in both display tanks and refugiums, adding movement, color, and a steady source of live grazer food.
Why It Is Algaesome
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Showpiece texture: Flowing, noodly branches create a cloud-like mass of red motion.
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Grazer buffet: A favorite live food for tangs, angels, and herbivorous invertebrates.
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Functional beauty: Helps export nitrate and phosphate while providing habitat for microfauna.
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Color play: Shifts from ruby to deep maroon under reef lighting; often brightest in stronger light.
Sizing & Availability
Each order is a ~1 pint portion, with natural variation in frond length, density, and branching. This is one of our more regularly available reds, though exact species, color, and texture will vary by season and collection site.
Traits
Color Ruby to deep red
Ease Easy
Classification Red Macroalgae
Nutrient Uptake Good-Excellent
Availability Regular
Use Display • Refugium • Food
Lighting Moderate-High
Flow Moderate (tumbling or anchored)
A Note from the Collectors:
Every macroalga we offer is hand-collected, acclimated, and observed by our team before shipping. While we carefully try to remove other algae, sponges, and tiny hitchhikers, it’s possible that a few “goodies” from the reef may tag along. It's a natural part of receiving genuine wild-collected specimens!
Many species may arrive paler or whitish in color. This is completely normal. Macroalgae shift their pigments inward during transport to protect from light and stress; color returns within a few days under good aquarium lighting and flow.
We ship via 2-Day service on Mondays and Tuesdays only to ensure specimens arrive healthy. You’ll receive a notification with tracking information as soon as your order ships.
