Tetraselmis suecica – Live Marine Phytoplankton

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Plantae | Phylum: Chlorophyta | Class: Chlorodendrophyceae | Order: Tetraselmidales | Family: Tetraselmidaceae | Genus: Tetraselmis | Species: T. suecica

Tetraselmis suecica Complete Profile

Tetraselmis suecica is a robust, motile green microalga measuring 9–14 micrometers with a distinctive teardrop shape and four flagella. Known for its high lipid content, balanced amino acid profile, and excellent digestibility, T. suecica is widely used in aquaculture for copepods, rotifers, bivalves, and larval fish.

Its strong swimming behavior increases encounter rates with zooplankton, making it a highly efficient live feed species.

Exceptional Nutritional Composition

Protein Content: 30–40% dry weight Lipid Content: 15–25% dry weight with strong omega‑3 enrichment:

• EPA: 10–18% of total fatty acids

• DHA: Trace to low

• Amino Acids: Rich in arginine, lysine, and methionine

• Pigments: Chlorophyll a & b, carotenoids, and protective antioxidants

Digestibility: High — soft cell walls and motility improve capture and assimilation by filter feeders and zooplankton.

Why Tetraselmis suecica Excels

High Lipid & Energy Density: T. suecica is valued for its elevated lipid content, providing dense energy for larval development and copepod reproduction.

Motile, Actively Swimming Cells: The four flagella increase encounter rates for:

• Copepods

• Rotifers

• Filter‑feeding larvae

• Reef microfauna

Broad Hatchery Utility: Used globally for:

• Copepod mass culture

• Rotifer enrichment

• Shellfish hatcheries

• Marine finfish larvae

Resilient & Stable: This species tolerates a wide range of salinities and temperatures, making it one of the most reliable green microalgae for continuous culture.

Marine Copepod Production

Ideal for Calanoid Copepods: Species such as Acartia tonsa, Parvocalanus crassirostris, and Pseudodiaptomus pelagicus show strong performance when fed T. suecica.

Benefits include:

• Increased nauplii survival

• Faster development rates

• Higher adult fecundity

• Improved egg viability

Rotifer Enrichment: T. suecica is commonly used to enrich rotifers with essential fatty acids before feeding to larval fish.

Synergistic Feeding: Often paired with:

• Isochrysis galbana (DHA source)

• Chaetoceros gracilis (EPA‑rich diatom)

• Rhodomonas salina (highly digestible red phyto)

Culture Methodology

Optimal Cultivation Parameters:

• Salinity: 20–35 ppt (optimal 25–30 ppt)

• Temperature: 18–26°C (64–78°F)

• pH: 7.8–8.4

• Light: 100–200 µmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹

• Photoperiod: 16:8 or 24:0 light:dark

• Growth Rate: Doubling time 18–36 hours

Culture Notes:

• Tolerant of variable conditions

• Performs well in batch or continuous systems

• Benefits from moderate aeration

• Produces stable, dense cultures with minimal crash risk

Reef Aquarium Applications

Supports Filter Feeders: Tetraselmis suecica is excellent for:

• Sponges

• Feather dusters

• Bivalves

• Tunicates

• Non‑photosynthetic corals

Its motility increases feeding response and capture efficiency.

Boosts Copepod Populations: Regular additions help maintain thriving copepod communities, improving natural microfauna diversity and providing continuous live nutrition for reef fish.

Coral Health & Metabolism: The balanced lipid and amino acid profile supports:

• Tissue repair

• Polyp extension

• Color stability

• Overall metabolic function