Chaetomorpha
Encyclopedia
In taxonomy
, Chaetomorpha is a genus of algae
, specifically of the Cladophoraceae
.
. Once it has grown to a significant mass, a chunk of the algae is removed to be thrown out or donated to another aquarist, taking the nutrients it has absorbed out of the system. Chaetomorpha is preferred over other macroalgae such as Caulerpa
because it is less likely than Caulerpa to undergo sexual reproduction
in the aquarium. It is also easy to remove because it will not attach to rocks or substrates. In a study run by Casey Campbell, it was shown that coal bed methane
is filtered by chatomoropha, and is made for livable for Daphnia magna, and more research is being done it to its large scale use.
In addition to nutrient export, chaetomorpha is known to host beneficial amphipods which can subsequently be used as a food source for corals and animals that may reside within the aquarium.
Alpha taxonomy
Alpha taxonomy is the discipline concerned with finding, describing and naming species of living or fossil organisms. This field is supported by institutions holding collections of these organisms, with relevant data, carefully curated: such institutes include natural history museums, herbaria and...
, Chaetomorpha is a genus of algae
Algae
Algae are a large and diverse group of simple, typically autotrophic organisms, ranging from unicellular to multicellular forms, such as the giant kelps that grow to 65 meters in length. They are photosynthetic like plants, and "simple" because their tissues are not organized into the many...
, specifically of the Cladophoraceae
Cladophoraceae
In taxonomy, the Cladophoraceae are a family of algae, specifically of the Cladophorales. This family includes notably marimo , as well as the genus Chaetomorpha which has a few members used in saltwater aquariums....
.
Aquarium Hobby Usage
Chaetomorpha is especially common in saltwater aquariums because it can be used for removal of nutrients, especially nitrates. Aquarists will commonly house this alga, perhaps with others, in a refugiumRefugium (fishkeeping)
In fishkeeping, a refugium is an appendage to a marine, brackish, or freshwater fish tank that shares the same water supply. For some applications water flow is limited in order to protect plants or animals that require slow flow...
. Once it has grown to a significant mass, a chunk of the algae is removed to be thrown out or donated to another aquarist, taking the nutrients it has absorbed out of the system. Chaetomorpha is preferred over other macroalgae such as Caulerpa
Caulerpa
Caulerpa is a genus of seaweeds in the family Caulerpaceae . They are unusual because they consist of only one cell with many nuclei, making them among the biggest single cells in the world...
because it is less likely than Caulerpa to undergo sexual reproduction
Sexual reproduction
Sexual reproduction is the creation of a new organism by combining the genetic material of two organisms. There are two main processes during sexual reproduction; they are: meiosis, involving the halving of the number of chromosomes; and fertilization, involving the fusion of two gametes and the...
in the aquarium. It is also easy to remove because it will not attach to rocks or substrates. In a study run by Casey Campbell, it was shown that coal bed methane
Methane
Methane is a chemical compound with the chemical formula . It is the simplest alkane, the principal component of natural gas, and probably the most abundant organic compound on earth. The relative abundance of methane makes it an attractive fuel...
is filtered by chatomoropha, and is made for livable for Daphnia magna, and more research is being done it to its large scale use.
In addition to nutrient export, chaetomorpha is known to host beneficial amphipods which can subsequently be used as a food source for corals and animals that may reside within the aquarium.