Caulerpa brachypus is a green alga which consists of blade-like fronds branching from a creeping stolon, which can form dense mats C,aulerpa brachypus was described by W. H. Harvey from Japan in 1860, It has a wide distribution in the Indo-Pacific, including the Philippines, Fiji and Somalia. In 1966, this alga was collected off Brazil. In 2001, C. brachypus was collected off Palm Beach County FL, presumably as an aquarium release. It has rapidly expanded tis range in the Indian River Lagoon, possibly responding to eutrophication from fertilizers and sewage.