Dasya

Dasya · also called Chenille Weed, Pink Plume Weed, Pink Feather Weed, Iridescent Plume, Pom-Pom Weed

Dasya is a red macroalgae with soft, fuzzy, finely divided branches that grow into dense bushes, in red, pink or yellow. Most kept forms want turbulent flow, and several are among the most fragile algae in the hobby. A 2019 study moved it from Dasyaceae into Delesseriaceae, so older books differ.

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Quick facts

Category	Marine & Algae
Family	Delesseriaceae
Native origin	Temperate and tropical seas worldwide
Care difficulty	Advanced
Light	Medium light
Pet toxicity	Toxicity unknown

Light

Hobby reports suggest moderate to high reef light. Strong light draws the blue and purple iridescence from Iridescent Plume, a tiny turf form whose structure needs a macro lens to see. Start at a moderate level and raise it slowly, because these plants do not take sudden change well.

Water

Standard reef parameters: 23-27 C (74-80 F), salinity ~1.025 SG, pH 8.1-8.4. Hobby guidance says this genus does best below 80 F (about 27 C), so stay at the cooler end of the range. Keep salinity steady, and keep nitrate and phosphate measurable rather than stripped out.

Soil & potting

Attach it to rock or a frag plug rather than burying it in the substrate. Tie it on gently, since the soft branches damage easily. Iridescent Plume is different: it grows as a small turf on substrate or on other macroalgae, so leave it on whatever it came attached to.

Environment — humidity, temperature, placement

Turbulent, shifting flow is the main requirement for most forms, in a display or dedicated macroalgae tank. Species live in both temperate and tropical water, so keep it toward the cool end of reef temperature, 23-27 C (74-80 F). Plants do not always hold up well in aquariums.

Propagation

Given time, healthy plants thicken into a full bush, and Chenille Weed fills out with age. Keepers have little record of reliable cuttings, because Plume, Feather and Pom-Pom forms are so fragile. Trim only small tips from a thriving plant, tie them to a plug and handle them as little as you can.

Toxicity detail

No toxicity data for tank animals was found, so the rating stays unknown. No grazing deterrent is recorded, so assume herbivores may eat the soft growth. It is not known to smother corals. A bush that collapses can foul the water, so remove failing growth quickly.

Varieties & cultivars

Natural forms are the wild species; cultivars are selectively-bred colour or variegation forms of the same plant.

Natural forms5

Chenille Weed

Dasya sp. Called Chenille Weed in the hobby; that name belongs to D. pedicellata (also D. baillouviana) in reference works, and the species of the kept form is not confirmed. A fuzzy, intricately branching Dasya that thickens into a full bush as it ages. Color may be red, pink or yellow.

Give it turbulent flow. Somewhat fragile when moved.

Pink Plume Weed

Dasya sp. A fuzzy, upright Dasya with intricate branching that resembles a plume. Given time it thickens into a full bush.

Give it turbulent flow. One of the most fragile macroalgae, so handle it as little as possible.

Pink Feather Weed

Dasya sp. A fuzzy, upright Dasya with intricate branching that resembles a feather. Given time it thickens into a full bush.

Give it turbulent flow. One of the most fragile macroalgae, so handle it as little as possible.

Iridescent Plume

Dasya sp. A very small red turf alga, similar in scale to hair algae, with branching so fine it takes a macro lens to see. Strong light draws a blue and purple iridescence from its branches.

It attaches to substrate or other macroalgae. Give it strong lighting to bring out the iridescence.

Pom-Pom Weed

Dasya sp. A fuzzy, upright Dasya with fine branching that resembles a plume or pom-pom. Over time it thickens into a full bush.

Give it turbulent flow. One of the most fragile macroalgae, so handle it as little as possible.

Quick facts

Light

Water

Soil & potting

Environment — humidity, temperature, placement

Propagation

Toxicity detail

Varieties & cultivars

Natural forms5

Sources