Japanese Chlorella - Marine-Adapted Chlorella Strains

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Plantae | Division: Chlorophyta | Class: Trebouxiophyceae | Order: Chlorellales | Family: Chlorellaceae | Genus: Chlorella | Species: Marine-adapted strain

Japanese Chlorella Profile

"Japanese Chlorella" refers to marine-adapted Chlorella strains developed through selection or adaptation for growth in higher salinity conditions than typical Chlorella vulgaris. These specialized strains measure 2-8 micrometers in diameter and maintain fast growth rates characteristic of Chlorella while tolerating brackish to marine salinity levels. Have gained popularity in Asian aquaculture operations.

Nutritional Composition

Protein Content: 40-55% dry weight Lipid Content: 12-22% dry weight Essential Amino Acids: Complete profile Chlorophyll: Very high concentrations Digestibility: Good cell wall digestibility

Aquaculture Uses

Brackish Water Copepod Production: Marine-adapted Chlorella strains support copepod species cultured in brackish conditions (15-25 ppt salinity), providing economical phytoplankton production with faster growth rates than typical marine species.

Artemia Enrichment: Serves as effective Artemia enrichment food, transferring nutrients to brine shrimp subsequently fed to marine fish larvae or reef aquarium fish.

Polyculture Systems: In brackish water polyculture producing marine shrimp, euryhaline fish, and other organisms, provides primary production supporting entire food web.

Cultivation Requirements

Optimal Culture Conditions:

• Salinity Tolerance: 5-30 ppt depending on strain
• Temperature: 22-32°C (72-90°F)
• pH: 7.0-9.0, optimal 7.8-8.5
• Light: 150-350 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹
• CO2 Addition: Significantly enhances growth rates
• Growth Rate: Doubling time 15-24 hours

Culture Medium: Grows in modified freshwater media with added marine salts, or in enriched seawater media similar to those used for marine phytoplankton species.

Reef Applications and Limitations

Direct Reef Tank Addition: Most marine-adapted Chlorella strains tolerate only brackish salinity (15-25 ppt), preventing direct addition to full-salinity reef aquariums (35 ppt). Some highly adapted strains may survive short-term in reef conditions but don't thrive long-term.

Indirect Nutritional Contributions: Can enrich copepods cultured in brackish conditions, which are then adapted to full marine salinity before adding to reef aquariums. This two-step process allows leveraging Chlorella's fast growth for copepod production.