{"product_id":"mermaids-fan-macroalgae","title":"Mermaid's Fan Macroalgae","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"margin: 0 0 12px 0; font-weight: 800; font-size: 28px; letter-spacing: -0.3px; color: #123844;\"\u003eMermaid’s Fan Macroalgae\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 12px 0; color: #22323a; line-height: 1.7;\"\u003eMermaid’s Fan Macroalgae (\u003cspan style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eUdotea flabellum\u003c\/span\u003e) is a distinctive calcareous green macroalgae prized for its \u003cstrong\u003eelegant fan-shaped blade\u003c\/strong\u003e that grows from a rooted base. The broad semicircular “fan” structure resembles a miniature underwater hand fan, creating a graceful and natural reef aesthetic in marine aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 18px 0; color: #22323a; line-height: 1.7;\"\u003eBecause of its unique shape and structured growth, Mermaid’s Fan is commonly used in \u003cstrong\u003elagoon-style reef aquascapes\u003c\/strong\u003e, where it adds a refined, natural visual element. Its rigid, calcified form provides contrast against softer macroalgae and contributes to a balanced, display-focused system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr style=\"border: 0; border-top: 1px solid #dde5e8; margin: 18px 0;\"\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin: 0 0 10px 0; font-weight: bold; font-size: 18px; color: #1a5a61;\"\u003eAvailable Options\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"background: linear-gradient(180deg,#f6fbf8 0%, #edf7f2 100%); border: 1px solid #d4e6e3; border-radius: 12px; padding: 13px 15px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 6px 0; color: #1a5a61;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFull Starter Plant\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin: 0; padding-left: 18px; color: #22323a; line-height: 1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSingle rooted macroalgae plant (approx. 3–7 inches)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFully developed fan-shaped blade structure\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIdeal for sandbed placement in reef aquariums\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAquacultured specimen\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003chr style=\"border: 0; border-top: 1px solid #dde5e8; margin: 18px 0;\"\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin: 0 0 10px 0; font-weight: bold; font-size: 18px; color: #184f69;\"\u003eCare Information\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 10px 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 50%; background-color: #eceff1; border: 1px solid #cfd6da; border-radius: 10px; padding: 11px 13px; color: #22323a; vertical-align: top;\"\u003e💡 \u003cstrong style=\"color: #435760;\"\u003eLighting\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eModerate to High\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 50%; background-color: #eceff1; border: 1px solid #cfd6da; border-radius: 10px; padding: 11px 13px; color: #22323a; vertical-align: top;\"\u003e🌊 \u003cstrong style=\"color: #435760;\"\u003eWater Flow\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color: #eceff1; border: 1px solid #cfd6da; border-radius: 10px; padding: 11px 13px; color: #22323a; vertical-align: top;\"\u003e📍 \u003cstrong style=\"color: #435760;\"\u003ePlacement\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSandbed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color: #eceff1; border: 1px solid #cfd6da; border-radius: 10px; padding: 11px 13px; color: #22323a; vertical-align: top;\"\u003e⚙️ \u003cstrong style=\"color: #435760;\"\u003eCare Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color: #eceff1; border: 1px solid #cfd6da; border-radius: 10px; padding: 11px 13px; color: #22323a; vertical-align: top;\"\u003e📈 \u003cstrong style=\"color: #435760;\"\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSlow to Moderate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"background-color: #eceff1; border: 1px solid #cfd6da; border-radius: 10px; padding: 11px 13px; color: #22323a; vertical-align: top;\"\u003e🧪 \u003cstrong style=\"color: #435760;\"\u003eNutrient Uptake\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003chr style=\"border: 0; border-top: 1px solid #dde5e8; margin: 18px 0;\"\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin: 0 0 10px 0; font-weight: bold; font-size: 18px; color: #6a6b58;\"\u003eSpecial Considerations\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"background-color: #faf8ee; border: 1px solid #e6e1c9; border-left: 4px solid #b7ad78; border-radius: 10px; padding: 13px 15px; color: #22323a;\"\u003e\nMermaid’s Fan is a calcareous macroalgae that incorporates calcium carbonate into its structure, consuming both calcium and alkalinity as it grows. Maintaining stable reef chemistry is important for healthy fan development. This species is best treated as a display plant rather than a fast-propagating macroalgae.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003chr style=\"border: 0; border-top: 1px solid #dde5e8; margin: 18px 0;\"\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin: 0 0 10px 0; font-weight: bold; font-size: 18px; color: #123844;\"\u003e🌱 Propagation\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 8px 0; color: #22323a; line-height: 1.7;\"\u003eMermaid’s Fan Macroalgae is not typically propagated through cutting like many other macroalgae:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul style=\"margin-top: 0; padding-left: 18px; color: #22323a; line-height: 1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCutting the fan blade does not typically produce a new plant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePropagation may occur through sporulation in stable systems\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth occurs slowly through natural basal expansion\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003chr style=\"border: 0; border-top: 1px solid #dde5e8; margin: 18px 0;\"\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin: 0 0 10px 0; font-weight: bold; font-size: 18px; color: #123844;\"\u003eLearn More\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0; color: #22323a; line-height: 1.7;\"\u003e\nFor detailed species information, compatibility, and care tips, visit our \n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: #1d5c78;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.macroalgaefarms.com\/pages\/species-library\"\u003eSpecies Library\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr style=\"border: 0; border-top: 1px solid #dde5e8; margin: 24px 0;\"\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"background-color: #f6f8f9; border: 1px solid #dde4e7; border-left: 4px solid #8a98a0; border-radius: 10px; padding: 13px 15px; font-size: 13px; color: #607078; line-height: 1.65;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"color: #46545b;\"\u003eLivestock Disclaimer\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 8px 0 10px 0;\"\u003e\nDue to natural variation between specimens and species within a genus, the item you receive may not appear exactly like the one pictured. Photographs are representative examples of the species or growth form.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 10px 0;\"\u003e\nIndividual specimens may vary in size, shape, coloration, and growth pattern depending on age, lighting conditions, and environmental factors.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0;\"\u003e\nApproximate size ranges are provided for reference but may differ slightly from the specimen received.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Macroalgae Farms","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44370705219843,"sku":"S10","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0667\/7151\/7699\/files\/Mermaid_sFanMacroalgae-CoverPhoto_e41fae64-6088-44ab-ad9c-e6f7dcfc1b0f.jpg?v=1773017350","url":"https:\/\/www.macroalgaefarms.com\/products\/mermaids-fan-macroalgae","provider":"Macroalgae Farms","version":"1.0","type":"link"}