Microphytes are microscopic
algae and attached
diatoms, typically found in
freshwater systems, and are sometimes called
microalgae. They are unicellular species which exist individually, or in chains or groups. Depending on the species, their sizes can range from a few micrometers (µm) to a few hundreds of micrometers. Microalgae such as microphytes constitute the basic foodstuff for numerous aquaculture species, especially filtering bivalves. They provide them with vitamins and polyunsaturated fatty acids, necessary for the growth of the bivalves which do not know how to synthesize it themselves.
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