Seachem Reef Phytoplankton 250 mL — Live Multi-Species Phytoplankton

Seachem Reef Phytoplankton 250 mL is a concentrated liquid phytoplankton composed of three complementary microscopic algae species, formulated to feed soft corals, filter feeders, and photosynthetic organisms in marine reef aquariums. Unlike single-species products, Reef Phytoplankton combines species of varying sizes and nutritional profiles to maximize consumption and assimilation by your specimens—an approach validated by scientific studies on mixed phytoplankton cultures in aquaculture.

Three Species — Three Nutritional Profiles

Reef Phytoplankton contains a synergistic blend of:

• Nannochloropsis: a green algae very rich in omega-3 fatty acids (EPA) — particularly beneficial for tissue health and coral coloration
• Isochrysis sp.: a golden alga rich in DHA and polyunsaturated fatty acids — a choice nutrient source for larvae and sensitive filter-feeding organisms
• Thalassiosira weissflogii: large diatom — accessible to a wider range of filter-feeding organisms including bivalves, brachiopods, and large-polyp gorgonians

The formula is enriched with astaxanthin —a powerful antioxidant carotenoid that enhances the color and vitality of marine organisms—and optimized to increase the bioavailability of proteins, lipids, B vitamins, and organic pigments. This means the specimens expend less energy extracting nutrients, resulting in direct growth and increased vitality.

Why a Multi-Species Mix

Studies in aquaculture demonstrate that filter-feeding organisms consume more phytoplankton when exposed to mixed cultures rather than a single species. The different cell sizes stimulate distinct filtration mechanisms and provide a nutritional complementarity that no single species can replicate. Reef Phytoplankton harnesses this principle to maximize the nutritional value of each dose.

Who Benefits from Reef Phytoplankton

• Soft corals: gorgonians, sarcophytons, xenias, dendronephthya — phytoplankton is their primary food source in nature
• Filter-feeding invertebrates: sponges, tunicates, spirobranchs, bivalves (pearl oysters, Tridacna)