Dragon's Breath

Halymenia durvillei

Also known as Halymenia, Red Dragon's Breath, Red sea lettuce

SaltwaterMacroalgaeCuttings

Dragon's Breath (Halymenia durvillei) — Coughdrop12 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Care at a glance

Light: High light
CO2: No CO₂ needed
Temperature: 73–81°F; 23–27°C
Max height: 11.8 in; 30 cm

Growth rate: Medium
Placement: Midground
Type: Macroalgae
pH: 8.0–8.4
Spread: 11.8 in (30 cm)
Nutrient uptake: Water column
Growth region: Submersed
Difficulty: Medium
Family: Halymeniaceae
Origin: Indo-Pacific reefs; commercially cultured for carrageenan

Overview

Dragon's Breath is a red macroalga grown as an ornamental centerpiece in the reef display, unlike the refugium workhorses. It still exports some nutrients, and it is rated medium in difficulty.

Did you know

Dragon's Breath is farmed on ropes in Southeast Asia for carrageenan, a gelling agent used in foods and toothpaste. The commercial crop is a source of lambda carrageenan.

Caring for Dragon's Breath

Grow Dragon's Breath in the display, with moderate to high flow that keeps the blades gently moving. That movement prevents bacterial die-off at the base. Keep the water at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and pH 8 to 8.4.

It needs high light with plenty of blue, around 450 to 490 nm, since it evolved at depth. It needs no added CO2, but it does need some residual nitrate and phosphate. It is not a plant for a fully sterile tank, where it can starve out.

It grows at a medium pace and branches vigorously, so trim it back periodically. Cut pieces from the trim grow into new plants.

Good to know

Dragon's Breath, Halymenia durvillei, is a red alga in the family Halymeniaceae. It is prized in aquariums for its glowing, iridescent red to orange color. Its flame-like blades branch out in all directions from a central fleshy stalk. In captivity it spreads by fragmentation.

In the wild

Dragon's Breath grows on Indo-Pacific reefs at moderate depths, where the light is partly filtered to blue. There its fiery red, fleshy blades can reach around a foot tall and wide.