Tetraselmis is a vibrant green flagellated microalga loaded with essential fatty acids, amino acids, and phytonutrients. It’s highly nutritious for copepods, rotifers, bivalves, and other filter feeders, making it a top-tier choice for marine aquarists and aquaculture setups.
What You’ll Need
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Tetraselmis starter culture
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F/2 fertilizer or similar nutrient blend
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Saltwater (1.018–1.022 SG)
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Strong full-spectrum light (6,500–10,000K)
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Air pump + rigid airline tubing
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Sterile culturing container (plastic or glass)
Culturing Steps
1. Prepare the Culture Medium
Mix RO/DI water with marine salt to a salinity of ~1.020. Add F/2 nutrients. Let it stabilize at room temperature (20–28°C).
2. Inoculate
Add your Tetraselmis starter culture. Swirl gently to distribute cells evenly.
3. Aerate
Use gentle, steady aeration with a rigid airline. This keeps the cells suspended and oxygenated while preventing clumping.
4. Light It Up
Provide 12–16 hours of bright light daily. Tetraselmis thrives under strong illumination and displays a rich green color when healthy.
5. Monitor Growth
Within 5–7 days, the culture should turn visibly green and slightly thicker. A healthy culture smells fresh, not rotten or sulfuric.
6. Harvest
Harvest using a fine mesh sieve or by decanting. Refrigerate unused portions and keep backup cultures running to avoid crashes.
Tips for Success
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Tetraselmis is motile—strong aeration prevents it from settling.
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It’s less tolerant of poor conditions than Nannochloropsis, so cleanliness matters.
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Always sanitize equipment between batches to avoid contamination.
Why Culture Tetraselmis?
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Rich nutrition: EPA, DHA, amino acids
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Boosts pod and rotifer enrichment
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Excellent for larval fish stages
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Improves microfauna health and reproduction
Whether you’re feeding a pod population or enriching live foods, Tetraselmis delivers balanced, complete nutrition in every drop.
