'Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi'
Abstract
Microalgae culture with desired species of flagellates or diatoms is the basis of
any finfish or shell fish larval rearing and culture system. Natural sea water is a complex
culture medium containing more elements and organic compounds, and which supports
mixture of all phytoplankton and zooplankton. But in the laboratory culture, monospecies
culture of micro algae is being maintained to support different culture requirements.
Natural sea water with added nutrients is recommended, because direct sea water may not
provide the optimum nutritional requirement of specific algae. So enrichment of natural
sea water is necessary with the addition of macro nutrients, micro nutrients, trace
elements and vitamins. Each micro alga needs the specific culture media, with basic
nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorous, vitamins and trace metals for better growth and
multiplication