Shaving Brush

Shaving Brush, (Penicillus dumetosus), is the largest member of the penicillus family. Their stalk can grow out to a size of about 4 inches, and 1 inch in diameter. The "needle" portion of the plant can reach 3 inches long. It is highly calcified and will not be eaten by fish or snails, making it ideal as a display piece. Because of its larger size, it looks good whether it is bunched together, or as a stand alone piece. It does best when planted in a fine sandy substrate, but can survive in more coarse substrates as well. Despite its slower growth rate it will get some filtering done if placed in your display tank, or in your display sump. 

This algae is capable of living under low-moderate light, it will grow strongest in moderate to high lighting. We send Shaving Brush algae that is at least 3 inches tall. They can grow out to over just under 4 inches tall. All macros present some risk of going sexual and releasing carbon dioxide into you aquarium. However, the risk of adverse ph changes from the release of carbon from this species is extremely low. Because this plant uses calcium to grow, you should keep your tank within 350-450 ppm of calcium for best results.

Shaving brushes will lose their bristles when they are transplanted, the bristles usually go pale first then fall off after transplanting and new bristles will emerge. To reduce the mess it will have in your tank you can request that we clip them prior to shipping, or you can clip them on arrival. Often when they are sent this way they will not lose their bristles, and they will grow back from where they were trimmed. You can test the health of your specimen by seeing if the stalk can hold itself up in water. When dead or dying the macroalgae goes limp.