Complete Guide to Coral Plankton Feeding | How to Use Phytoplankton, Rotifers, Copepods, and Dry Food | ブリちょく
Coral| ✍️ BreederDirect Editorial
Complete Guide to Coral Plankton Feeding | How to Use Phytoplankton, Rotifers, Copepods, and Dry Food
A comprehensive guide to plankton feeding, essential for long-term coral care, color enhancement, and growth promotion. Learn the characteristics of different plankton types including phytoplankton, rotifers, copepods, and dry foods like Reef-Roids, plus practical weekly feeding schedules, water flow timing, and nutrient management.
Key Takeaways
A comprehensive guide to plankton feeding, essential for long-term coral care, color enhancement, and growth promotion. Learn the characteristics of different plankton types including phytoplankton, rotifers, copepods, and dry foods like Reef-Roids, plus practical weekly feeding schedules, water flow timing, and nutrient management.
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The BreederDirect editorial team specializes in care information for animals, covering veterinary care and breeding to deliver beginner-friendly guides.
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Corals are often thought to survive on photosynthesis alone, but in reality, the energy from photosynthesis by symbiotic zooxanthellae is often insufficient, making plankton feeding the key to long-term care, color enhancement, and growth promotion. This article explains how to use rotifers, copepods, phytoplankton, and commercial dry foods effectively, along with practical feeding techniques.
Understanding Coral Nutritional Needs
Coral nutrition comes from two major routes. First is the sugars and fatty acids synthesized by internal symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) using light energy. Second is organic particles, plankton, and dissolved organic matter (DOM) captured from the surrounding environment.
Research shows that in LPS corals, plankton-derived carbon accounts for 30–70% of total energy intake. Even under high light, when corals enter a state of "nutritional starvation (starved reef)," pigment proteins fade and growth slows. In soft corals, numerous reports document significant growth acceleration from just 1–2 target feedings per month.
Photosynthetic Dependency by Coral Type
Coral Type
Photosynthetic Dependency
Effect of Plankton Feeding
SPS (Acropora, etc.)
High (80–90%)
Effective for growth acceleration and color enhancement
LPS (Hammer, Torch, etc.)
Moderate (50–70%)
Noticeable tissue expansion and fuller polyps
Soft Corals (Sarcophyton, etc.)
Moderate (60–80%)
Effective for propagation and polyp extension
NPS (Tube Corals, etc.)
Low (0–20%)
Essential; daily feeding is standard
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Types and Characteristics of Major Plankton Foods
Phytoplankton (Plant Plankton)
The most commonly used liquid food. The main components are single-celled algae in seawater, with Nannochloropsis and Isochrysis being the most representative.
Particle size: 2–5 μm (extremely fine; suited for SAM/filter feeders)
Primary benefits: Food for copepods and rotifers; supplementation for Goniopora, Dorisx DNA, etc.
Usage guidelines: In a 60 cm tank, 1–3 mL, 2–3 times per week
Caution: Excessive dosing turns the water green and increases algae. Nutrient levels (NO₃, PO₄) also rise, so adjust amounts accordingly
Rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis)
Animal plankton measuring 50–300 μm in length. Famous as an initial food for marine fish fry, but also effective for stimulating LPS coral polyps.
Target corals: Goniopora, Elegant Corals, Discosoma, etc.
Acquisition methods: Refrigerated type (Reef-Roids system) or home culture
Feeding timing: Stop water flow during polyp extension (evening to just before lights off) and apply target feeding
Copepods
Small crustaceans measuring 0.5–2 mm in length. Famous as the primary food for mandarin fish, but also highly effective for direct feeding to LPS and NPS corals.
Live copepods vs. frozen: When live copepods are introduced into the tank, you can observe corals capturing them actively
Home culture recommended: Installing a refugium (macroalgae tank) allows copepods to breed naturally and continuously supply your main tank
Commercial Dry/Gel Foods
In recent years, Reef-Roids, Reef Energy A&B (Two Little Fishies), AF Coral B-Amino, and other concentrated plankton foods have become popular.
Reef-Roids: Particle size 15–200 μm, concentrated amino acids, lipids, and proteins. Suited for LPS and soft corals
Reef Energy A&B (two-part): Solution A (sugars and amino acids) and Solution B (lipids and vitamins) are added in small amounts daily
AF Coral B-Amino: An amino acid supplement for SPS. Promotes synthesis of pigment proteins (chlorophyll, fluorescent proteins)
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Feeding Timing and Practical Procedures
Confirm Polyp Extension Before Feeding
When coral polyps are retracted, the feed is wasted. The most effective approach is to perform target feeding in the evening to 1–2 hours before lights off, with water circulation pumps temporarily stopped.
Stop the main circulation pump for 30 minutes (or reduce to minimum output)
Use a pipette or syringe to inject feed directly near each coral's polyps
Stop the skimmer for 30–60 minutes (to prevent the feed from being skimmed out)
Resume water flow and skimmer after 1 hour has elapsed
Weekly Feeding Schedule Example (60 cm Tank)
Day
Feeding Content
Target
Monday
Reef-Roids 0.5g + stop water flow
All LPS
Wednesday
Phytoplankton 2 mL
All (dissolved)
Friday
Copepod introduction (live or frozen)
NPS and LPS
Sunday
Target feeding + Reef Energy A 1 mL
LPS and SPS
In SPS-only tanks where nutrient management is strict, reducing phytoplankton and switching to amino acid-based supplements (such as Coral B-Amino) can promote growth while suppressing nutrient rise.
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Adjusting Feeding Amount and Nutrient Balance
The most common mistake with plankton feeding is elevated nutrient levels (NO₃, PO₄) from overfeeding.
When increasing feed amounts, simultaneously adjust GFO (iron-based phosphate adsorbent) and carbon source additives like NoPox to keep PO₄ below 0.1 ppm.
The "Balanced Feeding" Approach
In ultra-low nutrient (ULNS) tanks, continuous small additions of phytoplankton and amino acids dramatically improve SPS coloration
In high-nutrient LPS and soft coral tanks, 1–2 weekly doses of Reef-Roids dry food is sufficient
NPS corals (tube corals, etc.) require daily target feeding as standard
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Common Problems and Solutions
Polyps Don't Eat the Food
Cause: Feeding before polyps are fully extended, water flow is too strong
Solution: Stop water flow 30 minutes before lights off, confirm full polyp extension, then feed with a pipette
Water becomes cloudy after feeding
Cause: Excess organic matter, skimmer running too hard
Solution: Reduce feed amount by half. After 1 hour, resume skimmer operation and water will clear by the next day
Cyanobacteria bloom increases after feeding
Cause: Phosphate accumulation
Solution: Increase GFO dosage. Reduce phytoplankton from 2 mL per week to 1 mL
Fish eat all the copepods I add
Solution: Introduce copepods after lights out in darkness, or establish a refugium for home culture and continuous supply
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Summary: Species-Specific Feeding Roadmap
Plankton feeding is as important a routine as nutrient management in a coral tank.
Beginners: Start with Reef-Roids once weekly via target feeding
Intermediate: Combine phytoplankton + Reef-Roids for 2–3 feedings per week
Advanced: Daily micro-dosing of home-cultured copepods + amino acid supplements for maximum color and growth
By mastering the appropriate feed types, frequency, and amounts for each species, long-term coral care success rates improve dramatically. Combined with water parameter management, put "feeding-based husbandry" into practice.
