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General characteristics
These four species of microalgae complement each other perfectly due to their difference in size, mobility and nutritional composition. We have Tetraselmis suecica, with a size of 10-14µm and mobility through flagella. Nannochloropsis gaditana, with a much smaller size, around 2 µm, without mobility by itself, small round cells, without DHA content but with a high content of EPA, proteins and carbohydrates. Isochrysis galbana is a microalgae with ovoid cells of 5 to 7 µm, with two flagella and rich in DHA, which is very beneficial for the growth and development of larvae and growth of zooplankton. Phaeodactylum tricornutum is a diatom with sizes ranging from 24-29 µm x 4-5 µm. It can acquire different shapes: triradial, fusiform or oval. It is considered a marine coastline,
Phytoplankton is the base of the food chain of the oceans and, therefore, of vital importance for all the organisms that live in our aquarium directly or indirectly.
Feeding correctly from the most initial links allows us to have a more balanced and better nourished ecosystem. We must try to "imitate" as far as possible what organisms find in their natural environment and phytoplankton is an essential part for this purpose.
Phytoplankton is the base of the food chain of the oceans and, therefore, of vital importance for all the organisms that live in our aquarium directly or indirectly.
Feeding correctly from the most initial links allows us to have a more balanced and better nourished ecosystem. We must try to "imitate" as far as possible what organisms find in their natural environment and phytoplankton is an essential part for this purpose.
Nutritional value
Microalgae contain proteins/amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega 3), vitamins, minerals, chlorophylls and other pigments, antioxidants, enzymes,…
The composition in general terms is usually: proteins (30-50%), carbohydrates (20-40 %) and lipids (8-15%). All these percentages are variable depending on the microalgae in question and the culture conditions that we apply to them.
The composition in general terms is usually: proteins (30-50%), carbohydrates (20-40 %) and lipids (8-15%). All these percentages are variable depending on the microalgae in question and the culture conditions that we apply to them.
Advantages that they present as food
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It directly feeds the filtering organisms and invertebrates that live in the aquarium, in such a way that it will strengthen their immune system, revealing their color and awakening the predatory instincts of those who feed on it.
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The results will not be visible immediately but little by little we will see how life in our marine aquarium improves over time.
When to use phytoplankton and for what
The microalgae that are not consumed at that time will disappear with some time, it is important not to add more than necessary. A part of them will remain attached to the living rock and the substrate, serving as food for organisms that are found here.
It is important to note that the phytoplankton that we put in the aquarium cannot reproduce in it over time. Phytoplankton requires for its growth and reproduction elements that we do not find in the aquarium. Mainly a eutrophic medium (with a high amount of nutrients) is essential and what we seek to have in our aquarium is an oligotrophic medium (low amount of dissolved nutrients).
We must always start with a low dosage and gradually increase it depending on the needs of our aquarium.
It contributes to the reproduction and maintenance of the zooplankton that we have introduced.
Corals (Tetraselmis suecica 20%, Nannochloropsis gaditana 30%, Isochrysis galbana 30%, Phaeodactylum tricornutum 20%)
It is important to differentiate between hermatypic and ahermatypic corals. Not all corals feed in the same way and for this reason we must learn the basics in order to know how to feed each one of them as well as possible.
Ahermatypic: Soft corals that do not generate a skeleton; They feed directly on plankton and microorganisms (phytoplankton and zooplankton). It is important to control some factors in the water such as calcium, magnesium and trace elements since the corals feed on them.
Hermatypic: Hard corals that do generate skeletons; They obtain their main source of energy from zooxanthellae (very small algae that live within the coral tissue in symbiosis, they are actually dinoflagellates that live in symbiosis with the polyp colonies). Thanks to photosynthesis, these algae produce sugars that serve as food and a source of energy for the coral itself. In turn, these algae are what give color to the same coral. Therefore, in these corals light is very important since they are partially nourished by it and thus obtain their own food. The polyps feed on bacteria, diatoms,... An example of a hermatypic coral would be the acropora (SPS corals).
It is important to note that the phytoplankton that we put in the aquarium cannot reproduce in it over time. Phytoplankton requires for its growth and reproduction elements that we do not find in the aquarium. Mainly a eutrophic medium (with a high amount of nutrients) is essential and what we seek to have in our aquarium is an oligotrophic medium (low amount of dissolved nutrients).
We must always start with a low dosage and gradually increase it depending on the needs of our aquarium.
It contributes to the reproduction and maintenance of the zooplankton that we have introduced.
Corals (Tetraselmis suecica 20%, Nannochloropsis gaditana 30%, Isochrysis galbana 30%, Phaeodactylum tricornutum 20%)
It is important to differentiate between hermatypic and ahermatypic corals. Not all corals feed in the same way and for this reason we must learn the basics in order to know how to feed each one of them as well as possible.
Ahermatypic: Soft corals that do not generate a skeleton; They feed directly on plankton and microorganisms (phytoplankton and zooplankton). It is important to control some factors in the water such as calcium, magnesium and trace elements since the corals feed on them.
Hermatypic: Hard corals that do generate skeletons; They obtain their main source of energy from zooxanthellae (very small algae that live within the coral tissue in symbiosis, they are actually dinoflagellates that live in symbiosis with the polyp colonies). Thanks to photosynthesis, these algae produce sugars that serve as food and a source of energy for the coral itself. In turn, these algae are what give color to the same coral. Therefore, in these corals light is very important since they are partially nourished by it and thus obtain their own food. The polyps feed on bacteria, diatoms,... An example of a hermatypic coral would be the acropora (SPS corals).
Kingdom: Eucaryota
Class: Eustigmatophyceae
Order: Eustigmatales
Family: Monodopsidaceae
Genus: Nannochloropsis
Species: Nannochloropsis gaditana
Class: Eustigmatophyceae
Order: Eustigmatales
Family: Monodopsidaceae
Genus: Nannochloropsis
Species: Nannochloropsis gaditana
- Size 2-3 µm
- devoid of flagella
- very strong cell wall
- Fast growth
- Feeding of rotifers and copepods
- Used in green water technique to establish initial phases in aquaculture
- High protein and lipid content. Its high content of EPA (eicosapentaenoic omega 3 fatty acid) stands out.
Nutritional profile:
- Proteins: 52%
- Carbohydrates: 12%
- Lipids: 28%
- EPA: 37%
- ARA (arachidonic fatty acid): 5%
Kingdom: Eucaryota
Class: Chlorodendrophyceae
Order: Chlorodendrales
Family: Chlorodendraceae
Genus: Tetraselmis
Species: Tetraselmis suecica
- Size 10-12 µm
- It has 4 isodynamic flagella that are grouped in an apical vertex.
- Being larger and more mobile makes it more palatable to certain organisms (such as hard corals).
- Feeding of small organisms such as copepods, rotifers and Artemia salina. Widely used for feeding molluscs and crustaceans.
Nutritional profile:
- Proteins: 36%
- Carbohydrates: 12%
- Lipids: 10%
- EPA: 4%
- ARA (arachidonic fatty acid): 10%
- Linoleic acid: 12%
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