For marine aquaculture, ornamental aquaria, and aquatic research, live microalgae starter cultures are the key to building a resilient and thriving environment. At Little Creatures, we’ve taken a science-driven approach to offer a reliable range of starter cultures, carefully selected to support diverse aquatic life.
Our in-house collection features strains cultivated under controlled conditions, designed to deliver consistent results for breeders, hatcheries, and marine enthusiasts alike.
Meet the Microalgae: Our Live Culture Strains
Whether you're feeding zooplankton, enhancing larval survival, or boosting pigmentation in marine species, choosing the right microalgae strain is critical. Here’s what’s in our lineup:
Nannochloropsis spp.
A compact green algae rich in EPA, widely used in early feed stages for rotifers and larval fish.
Tetraselmis chui
Recognised for its mobility and high PUFA content, this strain supports early growth in shrimp and finfish species.
Pavlova lutheri
A golden-brown species loaded with DHA and pigmentation-enhancing compounds—perfect for shellfish development and aesthetic health.
Tisochrysis lutea
This tropical strain is highly digestible and a favourite in bivalve hatcheries for its DHA density and smooth cell structure.
Chaetoceros muelleri
A silica-requiring diatom essential in many shellfish hatchery programs, known for promoting robust shell formation and spat survival.
Phaeodactylum tricornutum
A versatile option with excellent filtration potential and balanced nutrition, often used in integrated aquaculture systems.
Dunaliella tertiolecta
A halotolerant green algae with high beta-carotene levels, making it ideal for stress resilience and antioxidant delivery.
Easy-to-Follow Culturing Guide
Each species in our starter culture collection has its own optimal parameters. We’ve developed simplified instructions to help beginners and professionals maintain healthy cultures:
Lighting: Ranges from moderate (100 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) to high (up to 400 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) depending on the species.
Aeration: Gentle to strong bubbling helps maintain oxygenation and circulation, preventing sediment buildup.
Nutrient Options: Formulations include modified F/2 and other balanced media, with or without silicate, tailored to species needs.
Salinity & Temperature: Most strains thrive in the 25–35 ppt range, with some adaptable to wider salinity swings. Temperature needs vary between 18°C–28°C depending on the strain.
We also supply detailed care sheets on request for long-term culturing and upscaling advice.
From Lab Bench to Bulk Supply
Starter cultures are available in 250 mL volumes—ideal for hobbyists, schools, or pilot projects. For commercial hatcheries or institutional clients, we offer larger-volume fulfilment and custom batch planning.
Each culture is:
Grown in synthetic seawater under sterile conditions
Packaged with aeration control to ensure live arrival
Shipped with storage and acclimation guidelines to optimise viability
Why Choose Little Creatures?
Our microalgae starter cultures are grown with a focus on purity, stability, and performance. We’ve eliminated unnecessary variables by producing strains in-house, which gives you a dependable head start every time.
Whether you're enriching rotifers, culturing copepods, or scaling up for larval rearing, the right starter strain can transform your success rate.
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Ready to Get Started?
Explore our live phytoplankton starter cultures today and take the guesswork out of microalgae cultivation. Whether you're new to aquaculture or scaling up a research system, we’re here to help you succeed—one cell at a time.
Start your journey here 👇
https://littlecreatureszooplanktonandaquaculture.com.au/collections/starter-culture