10 photos - 10 species


Caulerpa serrulata

Macro-algae or Razor/Saw-tooth

Maximum size: 30 cm

Maximum depth: 5 metres

They consist of only one cell with many nuclei,

making them one of the largest single-celled organisms in the world.

It forms extensive, large colonies.

Photo 1 Johnny: Bonaire Caribbean


Ceramium nitens

Red algae

Maximum size: 12 cm

Maximum depth: 15 metres

It grows on rocks or coral fragments and sometimes entangled

with other green or red macroalgae and seagrass stalks

Photo 1 Astrid: Bonaire Caribbean


Dictyota humifusa

Coppejans

Maximum size: 20 - 30 cm

Maximum depth: 0 - 40 m

A fairly common brown alga that crawls over surfaces in shallow

and sheltered habitats and can take hold on almost any solid substrate.

Light brown in colour, often with bright, light blue iridescence

Photo 1 Astrid; Bonaire Caribbean


Dichotomaria marginata

Red-forking algae

Height: 2.5 - 10 cm

Depth: 0 - 12 m

White with pink to light red tinge.

Photo 1 Johnny: Bonaire Caribbean


Halimeda scabra

Halimeda

Maximum size: 25 cm

Maximum depth: up to 1 - 5 m

Upright growth form, hanging or spreading.

The shape of the species-specific segments can be simple, lobed,

kidney-shaped, triangular, cylindrical, roundish or triangular.

Photo 1 Johnny: Bonaire Caribbean


Laurencia chondrioides

Red alga

Maximum size: 7 - 20 cm 

Maximum depth: 65 m

This red algae has the form of a bushy bush with a pink-orange,

pink to red colour structure during the reproductive period.

It is characterised by erect fronds consisting of a cylindrical central axis

with cylindrical branches and short branches that branch alternately and irregularly,

rarely lying on the same plane and becoming narrower towards the top

They are found on rocky soils.

Photo 1 Astrid: Bonaire Caribbean


 Padina pavonica

Peacock's tail

Maximum size: 2 - 20 cm

Maximum depth: 0.5 - 30 m

It is attached to stones with an adhesive organ. 

The whitish-greyish-brown thallus widens into a fan-shaped lobe

with concentric white rings parallel to the upper edge,

which are caused by calcareous deposits.

Photo 1 Astrid: Bonaire Caribbean


Valonia macrophysa

Sea pearl

Diameter: 0.8 - 2 cm

Depth 1 - 42 m

Dark green, shiny spheres to ovals.

Grow in dense clusters.

Photo 1 Johnny: Bonaire Caribbean


Valonia ventricosa

Bubble algae

Diameter: 2 - 5 cm

Depth 1 - 75 m

Dark green, shiny spheres.

Often covered with algae crusts.

Photo 1 Astrid: Bonaire Caribbean


Valonia ventricosa

Bubble algae

Diameter: 1.2 - 5 cm

Depth 0 - 30 m

Surface mostly smooth, but sometimes with small lumps.

Photo 1 Johnny: Bonaire Caribbean