In many freshwater aquariums, the focus is often on the "big" things: the fish, the plants, and the hardscape. However, the true engine of a healthy aquatic environment is the microscopic life that fuels the food web. Freshwater plankton acts as ecosystem fuel, providing essential nutrition that processed flakes and pellets simply cannot replicate.
Why your tank needs a plankton boost
- Natural Hunting Instincts: Live micro-foods trigger the chase response in fish, keeping them active and reducing stress.
- Fry Survival: For breeders, plankton is the perfect "first food" for tiny fry that have small mouths and high metabolic needs.
- Nutrient Cycling: Microorganisms help break down organic waste, turning potential pollutants into a food source for the rest of the tank.
Plankton types and their benefits
| Type | Primary Benefit | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Phytoplankton | Base of the food web | Filter feeders and micro-fauna support. |
| Zooplankton | High-protein live prey | Small community fish and growing fry. |
| Copepods | Cleanup + Nutrition | Bottom dwellers and picky hunters. |
How to fuel your ecosystem
- Regular Dosing: Adding live plankton weekly helps maintain a stable population of micro-fauna.
- Target Feeding: Use a pipette to deliver plankton directly to fry or shy fish to ensure they get the nutrition they need.
- Combine with Plants: A heavily planted tank provides the "hiding spots" plankton needs to reproduce and provide a steady food supply.
Featured freshwater fuels
Bio-actiV Freshwater Plankton™ — The ultimate all-in-one fuel for freshwater ecosystems.
Zoo-Plasm™ PODS — High-density zooplankton booster for growth and vitality.
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