Gulf Sargassum (Sargassum fluitans)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Sargassum fluitans
- Common name
- Gulf Sargassum
- Category
- Algae
- Family
- Sargassaceae
- Genus
- Sargassum
- Size
- 10–25 cm
- Depth
- 0–5 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- seagrass-meadow
- Behaviours
- pelagic, drifting
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Eastern Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Macaronesia, Mediterranean
Description
Sargassum fluitans reaches 25 cm floating. Pelagic surface brown alga, similar to Sargassum natans but slightly different morphology. Also entirely pelagic. Accumulates with S. natans in Sargasso Sea. Larval fish, juvenile pelagic fish habitat. Least threatened = LC. Shares unique Atlantic floating ecosystem.
Photo of Gulf Sargassum
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Gulf Sargassum?
- Gulf Sargassum (Sargassum fluitans) reaches 10–25 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Gulf Sargassum?
- Gulf Sargassum is found between 0–5 m deep.
- Is the Gulf Sargassum dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Gulf Sargassum?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Gulf Sargassum?
- Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Macaronesia, Mediterranean.
Other species in the genus Sargassum
- Sargassum vulgare - Common sargassum
- Sargassum natans - Floating Sargassum
- Sargassum muticum - Japanese Wireweed
- Sargassum horneri - Horner's Sargassum
- Sargassum filipendula - Filmy Sargassum
Other species in the family Sargassaceae
- Cystoseira amentacea - Mediterranean cystoseira
- Turbinaria ornata - Ornate Turbinaria
- Turbinaria conoides - Conical Turbinaria
- Cystoseira brachycarpa - Short-fruited Cystoseira
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 157202)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 3197245)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia