The trade in live reef fish, otherwise known as the live coral and fish trade, has recently come under intense scrutiny due to its impact on the environment. Recent major media coverage has highlighted the damage the trade causes to the coral reefs and the ecosystems they inhabit. Reports from major newspapers in the US, Australia and South-East Asia have focused on this issue, while CNN broadcast two news stories broadcast worldwide to 210 countries. New Scientist magazine recently published a two-page feature article on the live coral and fish trade.
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PomPom Gracilaria
Often called red bush macroalgae, PomPom Gracilaria is a healthy live reef food. It has interesting flame-shaped fronds and provides a splash of red color to any refugium or tank. It is beneficial for herbivorous fish, and is relatively hardy. Read on to learn about this live reef food and how to care for it.
This green macro algae grows to around 30cm in length. It can be cut to size and fed to your fish. Its color and shape make it a beautiful ornamental plant, and you can even feed it to other fish. This live reef food can also benefit your invertebrates and be a natural filter for excess nutrients. Its colors are intense and can be trimmed to suit your tank’s decor.
AlgaeBarn’s OceanMagik Phyto Blend
When it comes to feeding filter-feeding inverts, nothing can compete with AlgaeBarn’s Oceanmagik Phyto Blend. This hand-selected blend of four different LIVE Phytoplankton strains is an outstanding choice for feeding your reef aquarium’s inhabitants. If you are looking for a superior live reef food blend, you’ve come to the right place!
OceanMagik is a blend of four different LIVE Phytoplankton species, each with specific characteristics. It helps increase the reproduction of your corals and invertebrates, and it also improves the water quality by competing with invasive algae for nutrients and controlling the growth of undesirable algae. This formula is also beneficial for filter feeders and filtration systems because it is a live product that doesn’t decompose and produce phosphates and nitrates.
As a bonus, this phyto blend is safe for humans, and will not cloud the water. This product is also pH-stabilizing, which will keep the aquarium water pH stable. It is not for human consumption. For more information, please visit AlgaeBarn. You can order AlgaeBarn’s OceanMagik Phyto Blend today!
Reef Nutrition’s OceanMagik Phyto Blend
Phyto-Feast Concentrate is a blend of 6 different species of live phytoplankton grown at an algae farm in California. This blend provides essential nutrients, oxygen and a natural source of food for your reef animals. It also reduces Nitrate levels, which can cause major problems if your reef becomes too polluted. While live phytoplankton may be necessary for your aquarium, too much can cause an algal bloom.
Corals, clams, and other filter-feeding invertebrates will enjoy OceanMagik’s combination of live phytoplankton species. For best results, use this product in conjunction with Poseidon’s Feast. Copepods are a natural live food source for your aquarium, and will benefit from its presence. They are particularly beneficial for filter-feeding fish like pipefish and gobies.
Phytoplankton
Phytoplankton is primarily comprised of two kinds of organisms: single-celled algae and protists, which are advanced eukaryotic cells. Most of these organisms live near coastlines. Phytoplankton are counted by their chlorophyll content, and can be classified according to size. Some phytoplankton can sink, while others can float. They are also grouped by cell size and are known as picoplankton, nanoplankton, and ultraplankton.
Phytoplankton is composed of small photosynthetic algae that feed on filter feeders. While these tiny organisms may seem insignificant, they have a variety of surprising benefits for your reef aquarium. Phytoplankton consumes phosphates and nitrates from the water, while raising the pH level in your tank. The more phytoplankton you add to your aquarium, the healthier your live corals and other marine life will be.
Phytoplankton is sourced from the sea, and can be harvested once or twice a week. It is a rich source of vitamins and minerals and can be a useful addition to any marine aquarium as a supplemental food or as a base for other home cultures. Phytoplankton is also necessary for breeding saltwater fish, feeding rotifers, and growing brine shrimp.
