Is Phytoplankton Good for amano Shrimp Larvae? Here’s Why Nannochloropsis Is a Game Changer

Is Phytoplankton Good for amano Shrimp Larvae? Here’s Why Nannochloropsis Is a Game Changer

Yes, live nano phytoplankton like Nannochloropsis is essential for raising Amano shrimp larvae, microfauna and reef tanks.

 

What Is Nano Phytoplankton?

 


Nano phytoplankton, particularly Nannochloropsis sp., is a single-celled green microalgae known for its high nutritional content. Measuring just 2–5 microns, it’s small enough to be consumed by filter feeders, coral, and even microscopic zooplankton like rotifers and copepods. In aquaculture and reef tank care, Nannochloropsis is prized for its simplicity, omega-3 richness, and ability to oxygenate water naturally.

 

 

 

How Does Nannochloropsis Thrive?

 


This species thrives in saltwater environments with:

 

  • Lighting: 16+ hours/day of full-spectrum or cool white light

  • Temperature: 68–75°F (20–24°C)

  • Salinity: 1.019–1.024 SG (same as a reef tank)

  • Nutrients: Fertilizers like Guillard’s F/2 provide nitrogen and phosphorus to fuel growth

  • Aeration: A steady stream of bubbles keeps the culture suspended and oxygenated

 


Nannochloropsis reproduces asexually, doubling its population roughly every 24–48 hours in ideal conditions. It does not flagellate or swim, making it incredibly stable in culture.

 

 

 

What Is Phytoplankton Used For?

 


 

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In Reef Tanks:

 

 

  • Coral nutrition: Especially soft corals, SPS, and LPS benefit from direct feeding

  • Water polishing: Competes with nuisance algae for nutrients

  • Promotes copepod/rotifer population booms

  • Improves water stability and oxygenation

 


 

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In Raising Amano Shrimp Larvae:

 


Amano larvae are born into brackish/saltwater and drift-feed on suspended particles. Live Nannochloropsis is:

 

  • The first food they need to survive

  • Ideal for maintaining rotifer density in the water column

  • Easy to enrich with additional nutrients (like spirulina or greenwater additives)

 


Without nano phytoplankton, Amano larvae fail to find food and starve within the first few days. This microalgae mimics their natural plankton-rich nursery environment.

 

 

 

Other Uses of Phytoplankton:

 

 

  • Culturing copepods, rotifers, and other zooplankton

  • Feeding bivalves (clams, mussels, oysters)

  • Boosting macroalgae growth in refugiums

  • Detoxifying water through nitrate/phosphate uptake

 

 

 

 

Tips for Culturing Nano Phytoplankton at Home:

 

 

  1. Use a 1L–2L glass or plastic bottle

  2. Add 1.020 SG saltwater, F/2 fertilizer, and a small starter dose

  3. Light it 16 hours/day with a LED bulb or aquarium light

  4. Bubble with an air stone — not too strong

  5. Harvest when the culture turns deep green and opaque

  6. Store in fridge, shake daily, and use within 4–6 weeks

 

 

 

 

How to Use It in Your Aquarium:

 

 

  • Add 5–10mL per 10 gallons daily, or dose based on coral/larval density

  • For breeding: feed continuously to maintain greenwater conditions

  • Always refrigerate unused phytoplankton and avoid contamination

 

 

 

 

Final Thoughts:

 


Whether you’re culturing copepods or trying to breed Amano shrimp, Nannochloropsis is essential. It’s a sustainable, natural food that supports reef ecosystems, fry development, and microfauna growth. At Blackwater Aquatics, we grow our phytoplankton fresh and pure — no blends, no fillers.


Ready to start? Shop our Marine Nano Phytoplankton Culture and bring your system to life.

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