SA Live Feeds – DT’s Chaetomorpha sp.

Sustainable Aquatics has been expanding their live feed and culture lines, including this new Chaetomorpha starter culture offering. Raised in dedicated systems away from fish culture, this Chaetomorpha is highly likely to be pest and pathogen free (I’ve seen Chaeto come in with things like Aiptasia..not really how you want to seed your refugium!).

More product info from SA / DT’s:

DT’s Chaeto:

Chaetomorpha sp. is a fast-growing Atlantic species of microalgae that grows in long strands resembling spaghetti. Dense clumps can provide refuge for small marine organisms. Chaetomorpha commonly grows in shallow, nutrient-rich lagoons and intertidal zones, making it a hardy variety for culture. A benefit of culturing this species is that unlike Caulerpa, Chaetomorpha is unlikely to undergo sexual reproduction in the aquarium and release nutrients back into the water.

DT’s Advantage:

DT’s Chaeto is maintained in clean, dedicated cultures separate from fish and coral areas. Care for these algae tanks has been optimized for Chaetomorpha culture, ensuring that you are getting the best macroalgae available!

Use:

DT’s Chaeto can be added into a refugium, where it will remove both nitrates and phosphates from the water as it grows. Chaetomorpha is most-often utilized as a method of nutrient-export by reef aquarists who will regularly harvest a portion of the algae. While growing in a refugium, DT’s Chaeto will also provide habitat for microfauna such as copepods, amphipods, worms, and other marinelife.

Feeding:

DT’s Chaeto is not primarily utilized as an aquarium food, but it can be used directly to feed some herbivorous fishes. Dense clumps of Chaetomorpha will also host a variety of small organisms, providing a refuge and hunting area for small predators such as dottybacks, gobies, dragonets, seahorses, etc.

Culture and Storage:

DT’s Chaeto can be cultured in an aquarium, refugium, or separate area of the display aquarium. Provide strong light and vigorous water circulation. DT’s Chaeto can be stored in the bottle for several weeks.