Pod Your Reef

Tetraselmis chui Phytoplankton

$20.00
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Motile and can remain in the water column, Small particle size (10-14 microns), Consumes organic carbon , and Excellent for inverts
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Description

Get ready to add some serious health and color to your marine ornamental livestock with Tetraselmis chui Phytoplankton! This microalgae can handle a wide range of temperatures and salinities and produces some seriously valuable fats, proteins, and pigments that'll keep your fish and corals thriving. But that's not all! Tetraselmis chui can also chow down on inorganic waste like ammonia, nitrate, phosphate, and carbon dioxide, all while making your tank look like a tropical paradise. Don't miss out on this perfect addition to your feeding regimen!

  • Package size: 16 oz
  • 100% Aquacultured
  • Cell size of 12 - 14 micrometers 
  • Each cell has tail-like flagella it can use to remain in the water column.
  • Can survive in reef conditions, and thus uneaten cells do not immediately become waste.
  • Increases copepod production.

Diet Advantage: Are you ready for an amazing fact? Tetraselmis chui, a unicellular green algae, is not only a nutritious and valuable source of food for many marine organisms, but it also contains a variety of essential macronutrients and micronutrients. Its rich nutritional profile includes carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins, minerals, and pigments such as chlorophyll a and b, β-carotene, and zeaxanthin. Not only that, but Tetraselmis chui is also capable of consuming inorganic waste such as ammonia, nitrate, phosphate, and carbon dioxide via photosynthesis, making it the perfect addition to the feeding regimen of marine ornamental livestock-rich nutritional profile.

Reef Advantage: Tetraselmis chui is a green algae that's not afraid to move. That's right, folks, it's motile! This unicellular wonder has flagella, whip-like appendages that let it cruise through the water column. While its motility may not be the fastest or strongest, it's still there, making Tetraselmis chui a facultative motile species. So don't settle for boring phytoplankton. Get Tetraselmis chui and watch it move!

    Tetraselmis chui Phytoplankton in Motion

    Scanning electron micrograph representation of your microalgae from Pod Your Reef

    Species overview and key traits of Tetraselmis chui Phytoplankton

    Tetraselmis chui is a unicellular green flagellate (Chlorophyceae) known for its motility and hardiness Cells are pear-shaped or oval, about 10–14 µm in size, with four flagella that allow them to actively swim and remain suspended in the water column. This motile behavior means Tetraselmis stays available to plankton feeders longer (less quick to settle out) than non-motile phyto. It’s an aquacultured species that tolerates a wide range of salinities and temperatures, making it beginner-friendly and adaptable to reef tank conditions. In culture it appears vivid green due to high chlorophyll content.

    Nutritional Profile of Tetraselmis chui Phytoplankton

    Tetraselmis chui is often referred to as an “all-rounder” due to its balanced nutritional profile. It contains a balanced mix of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids, along with an abundance of vitamins and minerals. Notably, it’s rich in pigments like chlorophyll a and b (imparting its green color) as well as antioxidants β-carotene and zeaxanthin. These pigments can enhance the coloration and vitality of marine life that consumes them. Tetraselmis does provide essential fatty acids (including some omega-3s), though its overall omega-3 level is moderate – it has less DHA than Isochrysis, for example. One unique aspect is Tetraselmis’s ability to uptake and utilize inorganic nutrients: during growth, it can consume ammonia, nitrates, phosphates, and even CO₂ from the water. Essentially, each Tetraselmis cell is loaded not only with calories but also with these converted nutrients. When your reef critters eat Tetraselmis, they indirectly get those nutrients in a non-toxic, bioavailable form. This microalga also contains specific amino acids that act as natural feeding stimulants, encouraging polyps and filter feeders to feed with greater eagerness.

    How to best use Tetraselmis chui Phytoplankton in Reef Aquariums

    Tetraselmis is an excellent general-purpose phytoplankton for reef tanks. Thanks to its medium cell size and nutrition, it can feed a broad range of livestock. It shines in situations where you want to boost your zooplankton populations – many reefers culture or dose Tetraselmis to increase copepod and rotifer numbers in their system. Copepods fed Tetraselmis become “gut-loaded” with their nutrients and, in turn, enrich the diet of fish or corals that prey on them. This phyto is also widely used in rearing rotifers and juvenile brine shrimp, so it’s great for hobbyists raising clownfish or other larvae that rely on those live foods. In a display reef, dosing with Tetraselmis provides a direct food source for corals and filter feeders, including small-polyp stony corals (SPS), giant clams, feather duster worms, sponges, and soft corals, which will all capture and ingest it. It’s even used as a mild “green water” for larval fish tanks – because it stays suspended and tolerates various conditions, Tetraselmis can be added to larval rearing setups to feed larvae and stabilize water quality indirectly. Another key use case: nutrient control. Because Tetraselmis cells consume nitrate, phosphate, and even dissolve organic carbon while alive, adding them to a refugium or tank can help reduce excess nutrients in the water column. Reef keepers sometimes observe fewer nuisance algae or clearer water when regularly dosing Tetraselmis, as it outcompetes pest algae for nutrients and possibly even consumes organics that contribute to water haze.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How do I store live phytoplankton from Pod Your Reef, and how long will it last?

    Proper storage of your live phytoplankton cultures will keep them alive and nutritious for as long as possible. Here’s how to store Pod Your Reef phytoplankton and manage its shelf life:

    1. Keep Refrigerated

    Always store live phyto in the refrigerator at around 4–5 °C (39–41 °F) when not actively dosing. Cold temperatures slow metabolism and growth, placing microalgae into a state of stasis. This helps preserve their nutrients and extends shelf life.

    Do not store at room temperature — this will cause the culture to age rapidly or crash.

    In proper refrigeration, Pod Your Reef’s dense 16 oz phyto cultures typically last 4–8 weeks. For best results, use within one month. Hardy species like Nannochloropsis may remain viable for up to two months.

    Signs of spoilage include:

    • Foul, sulfurous, or rotten smell
    • Dark, clumpy sediment that does not resuspend when shaken

    2. Shake Periodically

    Gently shake or swirl the bottle every 1–3 days to prevent algae cells from settling into a thick, oxygen-deprived layer at the bottom.

    Pod Your Reef bottles are transparent, so a bit of ambient fridge light (or brief light exposure while shaking) is beneficial. Do not store in direct sunlight or brightly lit areas, which may cause overheating or contamination.

    3. Allow Occasional Gas Exchange

    Phytoplankton consume CO₂ and release O₂ in light, and consume O₂ in darkness. If storing for weeks, occasionally loosen the cap briefly to allow gas exchange and prevent pressure buildup. Do this when shaking, then reseal tightly to prevent contamination or spills.

    How often and how should I dose live phytoplankton in my reef tank?

    Live phytoplankton (microalgae) is an excellent constant food source and nutrient stabilizer for reef tanks. Dosing schedules can vary, but a common approach for intermediate reefers is small daily or every-other-day doses. Here are some guidelines on frequency and method:

    • Start with a Small Daily Dose: It’s often recommended to begin by dosing phytoplankton daily at an amount of roughly 1 mL per 1 gallon of tank water (adjust based on your particular tank stocking). Daily dosing ensures a consistent supply of fresh phyto for filter feeders (sponges, clams, feather dusters). These corals can uptake phyto, and for sustaining your copepods and rotifers (pods consume phytoplankton as their food source in the tank.
    • Observe and Adjust: After a couple of weeks of consistent dosing, gauge the effects. Ideally, you’ll notice improved polyp extension in corals and perhaps a slight reduction in nuisance film algae as pods and filter feeders multiply to consume the phyto. If water starts to look hazy or nutrients (nitrate/phosphate) climb too much, reduce the dosage. If nutrients remain in check and filter feeders are thriving, you can gradually increase the daily amount. Some advanced reefers dose much larger volumes (e.g. 100+ mL daily in large tanks), but your tank’s demand and export capacity will dictate the optimal amount. The key is to dose only as much phyto as your system can consume in about 24–48 hours.
    • Timing the Dose: Dose phytoplankton when lights are out or at the end of the photoperiod. This is when corals feed more actively on plankton. Additionally, many pods emerge from the rocks to feed at night, and as they do, they feast on phytoplankton, which in turn fattens them up for fish to eat. You can pour the measured phyto dose directly into a high-flow area of the sump or display. It should spread as a “cloud” that gradually dissipates as it’s eaten or pulled into filtration. Tip: Turn off your skimmer for a couple of hours after dosing phyto so that the live microalgae isn’t immediately removed. Live phytoplankton cells can stay suspended and active for hours, removing waste and feeding creatures, but a skimmer will strip them out if left on continuously.

    The Complete Package

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    I have been ordering Copepods for many years and I never notice any reaction from my fish or corals when I bought from other places not so buying from Pod Your Reef! The copepods were alive and well! You could even see some swimming around in the tank my mushroom corals went crazy! Highly recommend getting your copepods from here!

    Nicholas B.

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