Phylum

Common name: Green Algae

Scientific name: Chlorophyta

Chlorophyta, commonly known as green algae, is a diverse group of photosynthetic organisms found primarily in freshwater and marine environments. They are characterized by their green color, which is due to the presence of chlorophyll a and b, similar to land plants. This group includes both unicellular and multicellular species, ranging from microscopic phytoplankton to large seaweeds.

In the context of reef aquariums, Chlorophyta can play a beneficial role in nutrient management. They are known for their ability to absorb nitrates and phosphates, which can help reduce algae blooms and maintain water quality. Some species, such as Chaetomorpha and Ulva, are popular choices for refugiums—sections of the aquarium dedicated to cultivating beneficial algae and microorganisms. These algae not only help in nutrient export but also provide habitat and food for small invertebrates and fish.

Green algae are also involved in interesting symbiotic relationships. Some species form mutualistic associations with corals and other marine organisms, contributing to the health and stability of reef ecosystems. However, hobbyists should be cautious, as some Chlorophyta can become invasive and outcompete other desirable species in the tank if not properly managed.

Overall, Chlorophyta offers both aesthetic and functional benefits to marine aquariums. Their vibrant green hues can enhance the visual appeal of a tank, while their ecological roles support a balanced and healthy aquatic environment. Proper care and management are key to harnessing the benefits of green algae in home aquariums.

  1. Beautiful Acetabularia sp. blooming underwater. These unicellular organism are also known as Mermaid's Wineglass and looks like tiny umbrella on sea bed
    Common name: Mermaid's Wineglass
    Scientific name: Acetabularia crenulata
  2. Common name: Green Felt Algae
    Scientific name: Avrainvillea nigricans
  3. Common name: Boodlea composita
    Scientific name: Boodlea composita
  4. Common name: hen pen
    Scientific name: Bryopsis plumosa
  5. Common name: Caulerpa brachypus
    Scientific name: Caulerpa brachypus
  6. Common name: Fern Caulerpa
    Scientific name: Caulerpa chemnitzia
  7. Common name: Caulerpa floridana
    Scientific name: Caulerpa floridana
  8. Caulerpa prolifera in refugium system for saltwater coral reef aquarium tank
    Common name: Mexican Caulerpa
    Scientific name: Caulerpa mexicana
  9. Common name: Caulerpa nummularia
    Scientific name: Caulerpa nummularia
  10. Common name: Caulerpa Paspaloides
    Scientific name: Caulerpa paspaloides
  11. Caulerpa prolifera in refugium system for saltwater coral reef aquarium tank
    Common name: Leafy caulerpa
    Scientific name: Caulerpa prolifera
  12. Common name: Razor Caulerpa
    Scientific name: Caulerpa scalpelliformis
  13. green antler shaped seaweed (Cauleroa serrulata) isolated on white.
    Common name: Sawblade Caulerpa
    Scientific name: Caulerpa serrulata
  14. Common name: Feather Algae
    Scientific name: Caulerpa sertularioides
  15. Common name: Killer alga
    Scientific name: Caulerpa taxifolia
  16. A species of algae, the Latin name Chaetomorpha, a beautiful green structure composed of fine fibers laid on sand
    Common name: Chaeto
    Scientific name: Chaetomorpha aerea
  17. green steel wire algae (Chaetomorpha linum) isolated on white.
    Common name: Spaghetti algae
    Scientific name: Chaetomorpha linum
  18. Common name: Turtle Weed
    Scientific name: Chlorodesmis fastigiata
  19. Common name: Green Hair Algae
    Scientific name: Cladophora herpestica
  20. Green bush macroalgae (Cladophora prolifera) undersea, Aegean Sea, Greece, Halkidiki
    Common name: Green Hair Algae
    Scientific name: Cladophora prolifera
  21. Common green branched weed or rock-weed (Cladophora rupestris) close-up undersea, Aegean Sea, Greece, Halkidiki
    Common name: rock-weed
    Scientific name: Cladophora rupestris
  22. Velvet horn or spongeweed seaweed isolated transparent png. Codium tomentosum green alga branch.
    Common name: Velvet Horn
    Scientific name: Codium adhaerens
  23. Common name: Codium arabicum
    Scientific name: Codium arabicum
  24. Common name: Green Fleece Algae
    Scientific name: Codium decorticatum
  25. Common name: Green Felt Algae
    Scientific name: Codium edule
  26. Dead Man's Fingers (Codium fragile)
    Common name: Dead Man's Fingers
    Scientific name: Codium fragile
  27. Common name: Green Felt Algae
    Scientific name: Codium intertextum
  28. Common name: Green Felt Algae
    Scientific name: Codium vermilara
  29. Common name: Derbesia
    Scientific name: Derbesia marina
  30. Green algae Dictyosphaeria cavernosa undersea, Red Sea, Egypt, Sharm El Sheikh, Nabq Bay
    Common name: Green Bubble Algae
    Scientific name: Dictyosphaeria cavernosa
  31. Green seaweed, Flabellia petiolata, in competition with invasive seaweed, Caulerpa recemosa, Gokova Bay Turkey
    Common name: Green Fern Algae
    Scientific name: Flabellia petiolata
  32. Common name: Halimeda copiosa
    Scientific name: Halimeda copiosa
  33. Coral reef (Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands)
    Common name: Halimeda Algae
    Scientific name: Halimeda discoidea
  34. Hawaiian Halimeda plant
    Common name: Halimeda Plant
    Scientific name: Halimeda incrassata
  35. Common name: Large leaf coralline algae
    Scientific name: Halimeda macroloba
  36. Common name: Halimeda Micronesica
    Scientific name: Halimeda micronesica
  37. Green macroalgae
    Common name: Halimeda opuntia
    Scientific name: Halimeda opuntia
  38. Calcareous green alga (Halimeda tuna) close-up undersea, Aegean Sea, Greece, Thasos island
    Common name: Calcareous Green Seaweed
    Scientific name: Halimeda tuna
  39. A healthy pond with plants and algae
    Common name: Green Cactus Algae
    Scientific name: Neomeris annulata
  40. Common name: Parvocaulis parvulus
    Scientific name: Parvocaulis parvulus
  41. Yellow seahorse attached to a marine plant
    Common name: Shaving Brush Alga
    Scientific name: Penicillus capitatus
  42. Green algae shaving brush (Penicillus dumetosus) undersea, Caribbean Sea, Cuba, Playa Cueva de los peces
    Common name: Mermaid's Wine Glass
    Scientific name: Penicillus dumetosus
  43. Common name: Phoenix Worm Snail
    Scientific name: Rhipocephalus phoenix
  44. Common name: Mermaid's Fan
    Scientific name: Udotea flabellum
  45. Common name: Mermaid's Fan
    Scientific name: Udotea spinulosa
  46. Thickets of macroalga Ulva intestinalis. The underwater part of the rock rock, covered with algae and illuminated by the sun.
    Common name: Gutweed
    Scientific name: Ulva intestinalis
  47. green seaweed ulva lactuca algae swing underwater with bubbles.
    Common name: Green Laver
    Scientific name: Ulva lactuca
  48. Common name: Sea Lettuce
    Scientific name: Ulva linza
  49. Sea lettuce
    Common name: Sea Lettuce
    Scientific name: Ulva prolifera
  50. Ulva rigida, sea lettuce isolated on black background.
    Common name: Sea Lettuce
    Scientific name: Ulva rigida
  51. Ball-shaped seaweed. Valonia or Elongated sea pearls (Valonia macrophysa Kützing). Owase, Mie, Japan
    Common name: Bubble Algae
    Scientific name: Valonia macrophysa
  52. Sea tube (Valonia utricularis) in Mediterranean Sea
    Common name: Bubble Algae
    Scientific name: Valonia utricularis
  53. Bunch of green sea algae
    Common name: Bubble Algae
    Scientific name: Valoniopsis pachynema
  54. Unicellular organisms Bubble algae, Sea grape, Sailor's eyeballs (Valonia ventricos) on hand corals, Red sea, Safaga, Egypt
    Common name: Sailor's Eyeball
    Scientific name: Ventricaria ventricosa