Pigment Power Live Red Phytoplankton - Reef Genetics

Rhodomonas salina is a marine microalgae strain that stands apart from more common phyto offerings like Nannochloropsis primarily because of its pigment load and digestibility. The cells are small, soft-walled, and naturally rich in EPA, DHA, and phycoerythrin—a red accessory pigment that gives the culture its distinctive color and provides genuine nutritional value beyond what chlorophyll-dominant strains offer. For reef keepers running sensitive filter feeders, broadcast-feeding corals, or culturing live food intermediaries, Rhodomonas fills a role that green phyto strains cannot fully replicate.

Bottled fresh under the Reef Genetics label without preservatives, Pigment Power is a live culture—not a preserved or freeze-dried product. That distinction matters for bioavailability. The cells remain intact and metabolically active at time of use, which preserves fatty acid content and pigment concentration more reliably than shelf-stable alternatives. The soft cell wall also means no mechanical disruption is needed before ingestion; corals, rotifers, and copepod nauplii can process the cells directly.

The feeding applications are broad. Pigment Power can be broadcast into the water column, drip-dosed continuously, or target-fed to specific colonies. It functions effectively as a gut-loading substrate for copepods and rotifers before they are introduced to the display tank, concentrating its EPA and DHA into the live feed for an additional trophic transfer. Paired with other liquid or powdered coral foods, it adds pigment and HUFA density to a custom feeding blend without significant water-quality trade-offs when dosed correctly.

When feeding, shut down return pumps, protein skimmers, and UV sterilizers for approximately 20 minutes to allow distribution through the water column before filtration resumes. The 8 oz bottle is sized for aquariums up to 20–40 gallons or home algae starter cultures up to 10 gallons. The 32 oz bottle covers systems from 50–100 gallons and can seed home cultures up to 40 gallons. As a live product, refrigerate upon receipt and use within the recommended window.