Live Marine Phytoplankton
Marine Aquarium Information
| Selecting Species for Marine Aquarium Alimentation | Instructions for Marine Aquaria | Tridacnid Clams | Corals |
Selecting Species for Marine Aquarium Alimentation
Below, the species of marine phytoplankton most appropriate for a marine aquarium food source are listed. These species of phytoplankton have many overlapping attributes.
For best results, a mix of all species is recommended. Together, different species can compliment each other, creating the most nutritious combination. For example, Nannochloropsis is high in EPA and ARA, but low in DHA, and Isochrysis is lower in EPA, but is high in DHA. Using these two in conjunction can create a well balanced mix. Adding Tetraselmis can stimulate feeding of corals and other organisms and also provide important probiotics for culturing organisms such as rotifers or fish. Combining these three species therefore creates an excellent source of nutrition.
| Marine Aquarium/Aquaculture Algal Species Comparison | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pigmentation‡ | Motile |
Cell Size (µm)
(cells to scale) |
EPA† | ARA† | DHA† | Other | |
|
Dunaliella sp.
(PCCE121) |
green;
chlorophyll a, b, carotenes |
yes |
6 to 8 x 8 to 12 |
x | + | x | accumulates ß-carotene causing pink coloration |
|
Isochrysis galbana
(PCCE103) |
golden-brown;
xanthopylls, carotenes, chlorophyll a, c |
yes |
4 to 6 x 2 to 4 |
x | x | + | proteins, carbohydrates |
|
Nannochloropsis oculata
(PCCE116) |
green;
chlorophyll a, b, carotenes |
no |
2 to 4 (diameter) |
+ | + | x | vitamin B12, vitamin C |
|
Pavlova sp.
(PCCE106) |
golden-brown;
xanthopylls, carotenes, chlorophyll a, c |
yes |
5 to 6 (diameter) |
+ | x | + | proteins, carbohydrates |
|
Phaeodactylum tricornutum
(PCCE108) |
golden-brown;
xanthopylls, carotenes, chlorophyll a, c |
no |
20 to 24 x 2 to 3 |
+ | x | + | proteins, diatomaceous |
|
Rhodomonas lens
(PCCE109) |
red;
phycoerythrin 545, chlorophyll a, b, carotenes |
yes |
8 to 13 x 5 to 8 |
+ | x | + | carbohydrates, lipids |
|
Rhodomonas salina
(PCCE101) |
red;
phycoerythrin 545, chlorophyll a, b, carotenes |
yes |
5 to 13 x 6 to 8 |
+ | x | + | carbohydrates, lipids |
|
Tetraselmis suecica
(PCCE102) |
green;
chlorophyll a, b, carotenes |
yes |
10 to 18 x 8 to 15 |
+ | + | x | lipids, stimulates feeding, 2 natural antibiotics |
|
Thalassiosira sp.
(PCCE122) |
green;
xanthopylls, carotenes, chlorophyll a, c |
no |
9 to 11 x 14 to 16 |
+ | x | + | proteins, diatomaceous |
† The red x symbol indicates that the alga does not have a high cellular concentration of the indicated nutrient. The green + symbol indicates that the alga has a high cellular concentration of the indicated nutrient. ^
‡ Major pigments only. Other unlisted minor pigments are present. ^
Feeding Instructions for Marine Aquaria
- Upon shipment arrival, immediately unpack, vigorously shake, and refrigerate bottle(s). Alternatively, the algal concentrate may be immediately cultured.
- Maintain refrigerated. Proper refrigeration (0° C) ensures that most phytoplankton species will remain alive for many months. Never freeze phytoplankton! Cells will burst and die.
- Shake cultures vigorously each day to re-suspend the algal cells. Settling can lead to sudden mortalities and therefore shorten product life span. Non-motile algae settles faster than motile algae. Empco Algaculture packages phytoplankton in clear bottles so settling can be easily monitored!
- Prior to feeding, check culture for signs of mortality such as an offensively strong odor, or a drastic change in color (take caution not to confuse a change in color with phytoplankton that has simply settled (see step 3)).
-
Administer phytoplankton to aquarium using the best method for the target organism(s). Phytoplankton can be administered directly into the aquarium while filtration and circulation are temporarily shut off, or hand fed to clams and other filter feeders using a small dropper (droppers are free with any order if an email request is made prior to shipment).
To maintain an uncontaminated culture (increases shelf life), droppers should never be inserted directly into the bottle. Instead, pour the desired quantity of phytoplankton into a secondary container, and then fill the dropper with phytoplankton from the secondary container. Do not return phytoplankton in the secondary container to the original bottle.
The objective of feeding is to ensure the administered phytoplankton remains in contact with the target organism(s) for the maximum time possible (while not jeopardizing the health of the aquarium by leaving filtration off for prolonged periods).
Unsure of what quantity of phytoplankton to administer? Please read our FAQ.
Tridacnid Clam Alimentation
"Many aquarists have had the experience of keeping Tridacna alive for a few months after which they mysteriously die, after seemingly "doing well." Well... they haven’t done well, they have slowly starved to death using up all their energy reserves and finally dying. All of these deaths - ALL OF THEM - could have been prevented by adequate feeding with good phytoplankton" (Dr. Ron Shimek).
Coral Alimentation
"The reasons for the poor success rates with the majority of corals can be traced to fact that they need to feed on plankton. Enough food, of the right type and size must be provided. Until recently, very little was known about the feeding requirements of these corals. The vast majority of soft corals and gorgonians available in the hobby rely greatly on zooxanthellae for their nutrition. However, recent studies have shown zooxanthellae may not be able to meet the total nutritional needs of all soft corals. Fabricius and Klumpp (1995) found that twelve of the most common photosynthetic soft coral species investigated on the Great Barrier Reef could not meet their carbon requirements by photosynthesis alone. This brings up the question of just where do they get their carbon? Many octocorals are known as polytrophic feeders, meaning that they are capable of obtaining nutrition from more than one source (Williams, 1993). Possible sources may be one or all of the following: the direct absorption of nutrients, the ingestion of zooplankton and/or phytoplankton, the ingestion of "marine snow" along with its attached bacteria and organic material" (AdvancedAquarist.com).
"Phytoplankton is an order of magnitude more common on coral reefs than zooplankton. Studies have shown that phytoplankton is somehow depleted over corals reefs, though where it goes no one knows (in Fabricius et al., 1995a). In 1961, Roushdy and Hansen showed that the asymbiotic soft coral Alcyonium digitatum feed on 14C labeled phytoplankton (in Fabricius et al., 1995b). In 1969, it was demonstrated that the temperate water sea pen Ptilosarcus gurneyi fed primarily on phytoplankton; its bright orange colour, the result of carotenoids derived from a diet of dinoflagellates (in Best, 1988). Elyakova et al. (1981), in a general survey of carbohydrases in marine invertebrates, found the presence of laminarinase and amylase in three species of the zooxanthellate soft coral genus Alcyonium, enzymes involved in the digestion of plant material. It was not until 1995 that Fabricius et al. published papers that demonstrated quite clearly that the Red Sea azooxanthellate soft coral Dendronephthya hemprichi, fed extensively on phytoplankton, gaining more than enough carbon to cover respiration and growth requirements. Although this species also fed on zooplankton, only 2.4-3.5% of the daily carbon requirement of this coral was met by ingesting zooplankton. Three other asymbiotic Red Sea octocorals, D. sinaiensis, Scleronephthya corymbosa and the gorgonian Acabaria, were also found to contain large quantities of phytoplankton in their gastrovascular cavities (Fabricius et al., 1995b). Adaptations for phytoplankton capture include the small spaces between the pinnules of D. hemprichi, which appear to be ideal for straining phytoplankton from flowing waters. The large spicules found in the body column and around the polyps of Dendronephthya spp., appear to function more in holding the column and polyps erect in strong current flows, than to protect against predation, allowing the polyps to strain phytoplankton effectively from the passing waters (Fabricius et al., 1995a). Some of the most impressive growths of Dendronephthya spp. are often found on shipwrecks in the South Pacific, where structures high above the bottom and projecting into the current are often heavily encrusted. It is tempting to equate this with oyster hatcheries, where oysters are hung in cages well above the bottom and within strong currents. Both organisms feed on phytoplankton, and hence benefit from these positions by being exposed to maximal phytoplankton concentrations" (AdvancedAquarist.com).