Chaetoceros calcitrans Live Phytoplankton

Product Overview

Chaetoceros calcitrans is the chain-forming silica diatom that supercharges copepod reproduction and supports larval rearing success. These 5-15 micron diatoms grow in distinctive chains that make them easy for filter feeders to capture while providing the essential silica necessary for copepod exoskeleton formation and bivalve shell development. As the fastest-reproducing diatom species, Chaetoceros can double populations every 12-24 hours under optimal conditions, creating dense cultures that fuel explosive copepod breeding.

Ideal for aquarists focused on maximizing copepod populations or raising coral/fish larvae, Chaetoceros delivers exceptional nutritional density beyond standard green phytoplankton. The silica requirement gives diatoms metabolic advantages over dinoflagellates and other problem algae—Chaetoceros outcompetes nuisance species for nutrients while supporting beneficial organisms. Chain-forming growth creates larger particle aggregates that clams, oysters, and other large filter feeders consume efficiently. The diatom cell structure provides complete nutrition with elevated protein levels. Chaetoceros calcitrans arrives as a living, actively dividing culture that begins supporting copepod reproduction and filter feeder growth immediately. Note: Diatom cultures require silica supplementation for sustained cultivation.