Any idea on macro ID?

[KonradTO]

Hi peeps,
I collected this tiny fragment of red algae on the beach (Mediterranean).
Any idea on what could be?
It is made of pipe-shaped stems. Grows super slowly but there are some red tips so I am optimistic!

 

[Peace River]

Hi peeps,
I collected this tiny fragment of red algae on the beach (Mediterranean).
Any idea on what could be?
It is made of pipe-shaped stems. Grows super slowly but there are some red tips so I am optimistic!

@Tigahboy & @inland_reef - I know this may be a bit of a guess, but any ideas?

 

[AlgaeBarn]

maybe Galaxaura?

 

[inland_reef]

maybe Galaxaura?

That was my first guess. I do see some small red bubbles up near the top of one of the stems so maybe botryocladia… just a guess. Got any better photos closer up?

 

[KonradTO]

That was my first guess. I do see some small red bubbles up near the top of one of the stems so maybe botryocladia… just a guess. Got any better photos closer up?

This is the closest I can get.. I am not sure if the "hair" are from the macro or are filamentous algae growing on it

 

[inland_reef]

Yea I would go with galaxaura. The bubbles I thought I saw were new growth. The other filamentous algae looks to be like a hair or turf variety. I would try and pick off as much as you can before it over grows the beautiful macro

 

[WheatToast]

Yea I would go with galaxaura.

Seeing how the Mediterranean is not a very popular source for macroalgae, I doubt OP's algae is one of the more common varieties found in the trade (such as Galaxaura). Portieria and the widespread Laurencia (rarer varieties) are other possibilities.
https://www.marineplantbook.com/marineplantbookredalgae.htm

 

[KonradTO]

Seeing how the Mediterranean is not a very popular source for macroalgae, I doubt OP's algae is one of the more common varieties found in the trade (such as Galaxaura). Portieria and the widespread Laurencia (rarer varieties) are other possibilities.
https://www.marineplantbook.com/marineplantbookredalgae.htm

(PDF) Laurencia marilzae sp. nov. (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta) from the Canary Islands, Spain, based on morphological and molecular evidence

PDF | Laurencia marilzae Gil-Rodríguez, Sentíes et M.T. Fujii sp. nov. is described based on specimens that have been collected from the Canary Islands.... | Find, read and cite all the research you need on ResearchGate

www.researchgate.net

I need to chop a piece and bring it to university and check with microscope, it actually looks like this one.

Do we know something about their care? Would it differ from other red macro? To me it seems that both proposed species are from shallow waters/intertidal so a LOT of light might be necessary..

 

[WheatToast]

Do we know something about their care? Would it differ from other red macro? To me it seems that both proposed species are from shallow waters/intertidal so a LOT of light might be necessary..

I do not have experience with these macroalgae genera, however Gulf Coast Ecosystems has some good information on both:
Laurencia
Portieria
I also linked their massive online resource, on macroalgae in my previous post. Here it is again (it’s just so helpful!):
Marine Plants in the Aquarium

Good luck with identification!

 

[inland_reef]

Oh good eye I totally missed the Mediterranean part! Laurencia is an awesome macro.