Clean Sea Lettuce

Sea lettuce is commonly found on shallow, rocky reefs worldwide from the tropics to the arctic. This delicate green algae prefers brightly lit waters with high nutrient levels. So long as illumination is intense, it is extremely hardy and adaptable. It can quickly reduce concentrations of dissolved nutrients such as nitrate and phosphate in marine aquarium systems. It is regarded as one of the more nutritious macroalgae and is readily accepted by many herbivorous fishes and invertebrates. And therein lies the real value of this species; instead of just throwing away the harvested portions, an aquarist may offer it to various aquarium animals as a very tasty and wholesome treat!

This alga is a great candidate for refugia chambers that “tumble” the seaweed (e.g. kreisel styles). Used in this manner, relatively huge amounts of plant mass can be fully and equally illuminated. And, because it grows loosely, harvest is as easy as reaching in the refugium and grabbing a big wad or two.