Four strains of diatoms were isolated from the waters of Kendari Bay in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, including strains of Melosira moniliformis, Chaetoceros, sp. and a larger species that is likely to be Tetraselmis weissflogii. Isolated strains have exhibited a wide range of salinity tolerances in the 20 to 35 psu range. Strains of isolated phytoplankton were able to reach high densities consistent with strains suitable for use as aquaculture feeds. One strain Kbl-3 attained lipid content of 22.3 percent per gram dry weight at salinity of 35 psu, suggesting that it may be a good feed for shrimp larvae. Most strains changed color from brown to orange under culture suggesting a high beta-carotene content.