Dragons Breath

$35.00

  • Scientific Name: Halymenia sp.

  • Common Names: Dragon’s Breath, Flame Algae

  • Type: Red macroalgae

  • Growth Pattern: Free-floating or attached; ruffled leaf-like blades

  • Tank Placement: Display tank or refugium

  • Aesthetic addition—adds movement and brilliant red/orange hues under reef lighting

  • Moderate nutrient export (especially nitrate and some phosphate)

  • Provides habitat or hiding places for pods

  • Great for seahorse tanks, soft coral tanks, and peaceful reef displays

  • You will receive x1 (5”-6”) Piece of Dragon’s Breath Macro Algae

  • Scientific Name: Halymenia sp.

  • Common Names: Dragon’s Breath, Flame Algae

  • Type: Red macroalgae

  • Growth Pattern: Free-floating or attached; ruffled leaf-like blades

  • Tank Placement: Display tank or refugium

  • Aesthetic addition—adds movement and brilliant red/orange hues under reef lighting

  • Moderate nutrient export (especially nitrate and some phosphate)

  • Provides habitat or hiding places for pods

  • Great for seahorse tanks, soft coral tanks, and peaceful reef displays

  • You will receive x1 (5”-6”) Piece of Dragon’s Breath Macro Algae

 

Parameter Ideal Range

Temperature 72–78°F (22–26°C)

Salinity 1.023–1.026

pH 8.0–8.4

Alkalinity 8–12 dkh

Nitrate 1–10 ppm

Phosphate 0.01–0.10 ppm

Calcium 400–450 ppm

Magnesium 1250–1350 ppm

⚠️ Note: Dragon’s Breath will fade, melt, or stop growing if nutrients (especially nitrate) drop too low.

📦 Acclimation

  1. Float bag to match temperature for 15–30 minutes

  2. Slowly drip acclimate over 30–60 minutes to match salinity and parameters

  3. Rinse in clean tank water or lightly in RODI if pests suspected

  4. Place in low-to-moderate light at first, then move to desired lighting over 1–2 days

🧼 Pest Control / Quarantine Tips

  • Rinse gently before adding to tank

  • Quarantine new macroalgae for at least 3–5 days if possible

  • Watch for bubble algae, aiptasia, or bristleworms hiding within

💡 Lighting

  • Type: Moderate to high LED lighting preferred

  • Spectrum: Strong in blue and red spectrums (reef lights work great)

  • Photoperiod: 8–10 hours/day

  • Behavior: Dragon’s Breath glows fiery orange/red under actinic or blue lights—ideal for display tanks.

🌊 Flow Requirements

  • Moderate flow is ideal: enough to gently tumble or sway the algae without tearing it

  • Avoid placing it where it can get sucked into powerheads or overflows

🪴 Placement and Growth

  • Floating: Can be left to tumble in sump or refugium

  • Secured: Can be wedged into rock crevices or tied/glued onto rubble for display

  • Will not attach itself like Caulerpa or Gracilaria

✂️ Pruning & Maintenance

  • Prune by trimming excess growth with clean scissors

  • Remove any decaying or bleached sections

  • Keep some tumbling or in indirect light to prevent lower parts from dying

🧬 Compatibility

  • Reef-safe and compatible with corals and most fish

  • Do not house with: algae-eating tangs (e.g., Yellow Tang, Kole Tang), Rabbitfish, or Foxface—they will devour it quickly.

  • Safe with inverts, especially copepods and amphipods (they may hide in it)

🧪 Signs of Health & Trouble

Bleaching/Fading: Too little light or zero nutrients

Melting: Shock, lack of nutrients, or poor acclimation

Rapid Disintegration: Starvation, usually nitrate < 1 ppm

Dull coloration: Insufficient lighting or trace element deficit

 
 

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