Algae does not consume organic materials; instead, it feeds on the waste materials produced by decomposing materials and the waste of marine animals. The growth of algae is dependent on the process of photosynthesis where the bacteria that forms the organisms takes energy from the rays of the sun to use for growth.

What does algae need to survive?

Algae only require a few essentials to grow: water, sunlight, carbon, and nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. From salt water to fresh water and everything in between, the diversity of algae means that there are suitable strains that can take advantage of nearly any water resource.

What does green algae feed on?

About Blue-Green Algae

They feed off of nitrogen and phosphorous from rural and urban runoff, and thrive if there are warm temperatures and an excess of nutrients. The algae are microscopic, but when conditions are right they can form massive colonies that cover large bodies of water.

What feed off algae?

Zooplankton, tadpoles, and crustaceans eat algae. Many aquatic consumers such as zooplankton, tadpoles, algae eater (algivore), small fish, crustaceans, and water-dwelling insects eat algae as their primary food source.

Do algae eat plants?

As “plants” the algae produce their own food and as “animals” they can eat other plants or even their own grazers. These organisms are called mixotrophs and their nutritional strategy is thus known as mixotrophy, in other words: “mixed nutrition”.

How do algae get their food?

Algae form organic food molecules from carbon dioxide and water through the process of photosynthesis, in which they capture energy from sunlight.