Bulldawg Reef Juice Rhodomonas salina | Live Red Phytoplankton for Reefs

Bulldawg Reef Juice Rhodomonas salina is a fresh, refrigerator-stable live red phytoplankton packed with HUFAs (EPA & DHA), amino acids, and the carotenoid pigments that give corals and copepods their best color. Of all the phyto species in the hobby, Rhodomonas salina is widely considered the gold-standard food for copepods (especially calanoids like Acartia and Parvocalanus) and for raising larval marine fish — making it a go-to for breeders, reefers running pod populations, and anyone keeping pod-eating fish like mandarins and dragonets.

Local Georgia brand. Bulldawg is a Georgia-based reef supplement brand, and so are we — by stocking Bulldawg you're supporting a small local business right here in GA. Same state, same hobby, same goal: healthy reef tanks.

Available in 8 oz and 16 oz bottles. Choose your size above.

Looking for more reef nutrition? Browse our Nutrition, Additives & Supplements, and Saltwater Supplies.

• Live Rhodomonas salina — red marine cryptophyte, the gold standard for copepod and larval-fish nutrition
• Rich in HUFAs (EPA & DHA) — fuels coral coloration, growth, and larval fish development
• Carotenoid pigments — supports the reds, oranges, and pinks in fish and corals
• Best for copepods & pod-eating fish — mandarins, dragonets, scooter blennies, and breeding clownfish all benefit
• Made in Georgia — supports a local small business; same state as Squeaky's Aquatics
• Saltwater reef use only

• Shake well before each use — phytoplankton settles in the bottle.
• Suggested dose: Start at 1 mL per 10 gallons daily. Increase based on pod populations and coral response.
• Where to dose: Pour directly into the refugium for pod culture, or into a high-flow area of the display for direct coral feeding.
• Skimmer: Consider turning the protein skimmer off for 30–60 minutes after dosing to maximize uptake.
• For pod culture: Run a refugium with chaeto and rock rubble; dose Rhodomonas daily and watch your Tigriopus and Tisbe populations explode.
• For breeding: Use to enrich rotifers and copepods that you feed to larval fish — a critical step for clownfish, dottyback, and mandarin breeding.
• Storage: Refrigerate immediately upon receiving. Keep tightly sealed. Do not freeze. Use within the freshness window on the bottle.

Specifications

• Mixed phyto blends & reef foods — combine red phyto with green species (Nannochloropsis, Tetraselmis) for a complete profile
• Reef additives & supplements — alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, trace elements
• Reef salt mixes — for stable parameters during water changes
• Water testing kits — track parameters as feeding increases bioload

Why is Rhodomonas salina special?
It's one of the few phyto species small calanoid copepods will readily eat and reproduce on, and its HUFA profile (high EPA + DHA) is excellent for larval fish growth. Many commercial fish hatcheries use it specifically for these reasons.

Will it color up my fish and corals?
Indirectly, yes. The carotenoid pigments are passed up the food chain — copepods eat phyto, then fish eat copepods. Direct dosing to the display also feeds filter-feeding corals and clams.

How is it different from green phyto like Nannochloropsis?
Different cell size, different fatty acid profile, and different pigments. Calanoid copepods especially do better on Rhodomonas. Many reefers run a mixed blend for the most complete nutrition.

How do I store it?
Refrigerate as soon as you get home — do not let it sit out, and never freeze. Keep the cap tight and shake well before each use.

Is it reef-safe?
Yes — at recommended doses it is completely safe for corals, inverts, and fish.