SoCal algae question

[MaxBottomtime]

I've asked the staff of the Cabrillo Aquarium as well as two marine biology professors at CSULB with no answer. They're actually very common on wrecks below 120 feet. My old dive buddy used to call them psychadelic flowers. And yes, they are solitary.

 

[jlyle]

I've narrowed the possiblities somewhat:

It may something in the genus that used to be called Iridaea, now known as the genus Mazzaella.

It could also be in the genus Halymenia or Schizymenia.

 

[archman]

I didn't think Halymenia was that brightly coloured. All the stuff I see is pale to chocolate-brown.

 

[jlyle]

I didn't think Halymenia was that brightly coloured. All the stuff I see is pale to chocolate-brown.

If you do a google search for images of Halymenia you will see some that is brightly colored...

 

[archman]

If you do a google search for images of Halymenia you will see some that is brightly colored...

Friggin' Google... I POOP ON GOOGLE!!

 

[jlyle]

Friggin' Google... I POOP ON GOOGLE!!

eeewwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!! :11:

 

[Divemaster-K]

What does it taste like?

 

[jlyle]

What does it taste like?

Good question. Porphyra is dried and marketed as "nori" aka "laver" and used for makisushi, hand-rolls, etc.

 

[drbill]

Do members of the genus Fauchea extend that deep, or possibly Fryeella (which used to be in the genus Fauchea. Both have that purplish irridescent sheen, although possibly not under strobe light.

Dr. Bill

PS- If there's one thing I learned in my marine botany class, it was that three experts viewing my collection from Catalina waters often came up with three different scientific names!

 

[jlyle]

Do members of the genus Fauchea extend that deep, or possibly Fryeella (which used to be in the genus Fauchea. Both have that purplish irridescent sheen, although possibly not under strobe light.

Dr. Bill

PS- If there's one thing I learned in my marine botany class, it was that three experts viewing my collection from Catalina waters often came up with three different scientific names!

You've got that right. I think we need to collect a sample in order to get a positive ID.