32oz Daphnia 16oz Phyto – Fresh Food for Fish, Fry & Reptiles

DescriptionDaphnia & Phytoplankton Freshwater Combo – Complete Nutrition SystemWe pair a 32oz daphnia culture with a 16oz phytoplankton bottle specifically because daphnia consume algae and microorganisms in your tank, and we supply their food source directly. This approach mimics the freshwater ecosystem your daphnia originated from. Daphnia (Daphnia magna, D. pulex) filter between 5-20 microorganisms per minute depending on size and water temperature. Our Chlorella and Scenedesmus phytoplankton species are the organisms daphnia naturally consume.The 32oz daphnia container ships at 250-350 individuals per bottle. The 16oz phytoplankton unit provides 2-4 million cells per milliliter, enough to sustain daphnia for 3-4 weeks before requiring phytoplankton additions. We culture both in parallel, so density profiles match—the phytoplankton is never older than the daphnia by more than 4 days.Dosing ProtocolStart by adding the entire 32oz daphnia bottle to a 20-gallon breeder tank or culture container. Feed phytoplankton at 5ml per 10 gallons twice weekly. Watch for water cloudiness—if clarity drops below 6 inches, reduce phytoplankton to once weekly. In established tanks with moderate bioload, ambient algae may supplement your added phytoplankton, extending culture longevity.Who This Is ForThis combo targets serious breeders and institutional feeders (zoos, research facilities) who need sustainable food chains. It also suits hobbyists raising fry that require months of consistent nutrition, or anyone maintaining killifish or discus broodstock.FAQsQ: Do I need to add more phytoplankton, or does it multiply in my tank? A: Algae multiplies slowly in low-light tanks. We recommend dosing our phytoplankton every 7-10 days to keep daphnia well-fed. Natural multiplication alone won’t sustain 10,000 daphnia long-term.Q: What temperature range do daphnia prefer? A: Our strains perform best at 65-75°F. Above 78°F, reproduction slows and culture quality declines. Cooler temps (60-68°F) slow metabolism but extend culture viability in storage.Phytoplankton Biology & Nutritional Profile: Our phytoplankton cultures contain cells ranging from 2-15 micrometers depending on species, with densities optimized for maximum nutritional delivery. Each cell is packed with amino acids, essential fatty acids (especially EPA and DHA), B vitamins, and pigments including chlorophyll and carotenoids. Cell division rates accelerate when nutrient conditions are maintained, allowing cultures to sustain feeding programs for extended periods. These microscopic plants are consumed by copepods, filter-feeding corals, clams, and invertebrates at impressive consumption rates—a single mandarin can consume 3,000-5,000 cells per day.Compatible Tank Types & Species:Reef Systems: Filter-feeding corals, clams, zoanthids, sponges, feather dustersCopepod Cultures: Primary food source; increases nauplii production ratesRefugium Programs: Sustained microbial food web; supports macroalgae nutrient cyclesNano Setups: Mandarin dragonfish, pipefish, seahorses, specialized planktivoresFreshwater Aquaculture: Daphnia, moina, larval fish rearing, zooplankton culturesStorage & Handling Recommendations: Keep cultures at 50-65°F for maximum shelf life (refrigerator recommended). For room-temperature storage, use within 10-14 days for optimal potency. Do not expose to direct sunlight. Shake bottles gently before use to ensure even distribution. If cloudiness develops, reduce dosing by half and allow water clarity to return. Cultures tolerate brief temperature fluctuations (48-78°F) but rapid changes stress organisms.Why Choose Our Cultures: I’ve been culturing these organisms for over a decade, and our commitment to quality is evident in every bottle. We test densities before shipping, ensuring you receive exactly what’s advertised. Unlike competitors, we never artificially dilute cultures—every milliliter contains the advertised organism count. Our feeding protocols use minimal additives, resulting in cleaner water and faster-reproducing populations. We personally use these same cultures in our demonstration systems, so we stand behind their performance. When you order from us, you’re supporting small-batch aquaculture rather than mass-production facilities.You May Also LikeDaphnia only — 32ozPhyto only — 16ozFreshwater Feeds Trio — add copepods too