Calanus finmarchicus is a tiny planktonic crustacean from the Arctic waters off Norway. It forms the base of the marine food chain — the main food source for whales, herring and wild salmon. Sitting at the very bottom of the food chain gives it a major advantage: it accumulates almost no pollutants (heavy metals, PCBs, dioxins), unlike the larger fish typically used for conventional fish oils.

Calanus is harvested sustainably in Norwegian fjords, with MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) certification. The North Atlantic Calanus biomass is estimated at several hundred million tonnes — the harvest represents less than 0.01% of the total population.

Calanus oil stands apart from conventional fish oils thanks to its unique lipid form: wax esters, where the omega-3 fatty acids are bound to fatty alcohols — a lipid structure rare in nature, giving superior stability against oxidation and extended absorption throughout the small intestine. It also contains SDA (stearidonic acid), a rare omega-3 precursor absent from standard fish oils, which converts to EPA at a rate 5 times higher than ALA (from flax or chia). And it contains natural astaxanthin, the powerful carotenoid antioxidant that gives Calanus its red colour, protecting the oil from oxidation without added preservatives and contributing its own antioxidant properties.

By comparison, standard fish oils contain triglycerides or ethyl esters, without astaxanthin or SDA.

Calanus oil particularly suits people who don’t tolerate fish oil well (no fishy burps or aftertaste thanks to the wax-ester form), those looking for a sustainable omega-3 source (MSC-certified, minimal ecological impact), those wanting to combine omega-3 with an antioxidant (natural astaxanthin is included in every capsule), athletes (the long-chain fatty alcohols and astaxanthin support muscle recovery), and people concerned about purity (Calanus, being low on the food chain, accumulates fewer contaminants than tuna or farmed salmon).

Take 2 capsules per day with a meal containing fat to optimise absorption. Course of 2 to 3 months, renewable. Recommended pairings: vitamin D3 for bone health synergy, magnesium bisglycinate for cardiovascular and nervous function, ubiquinol (CoQ10) for cellular energy and cardiovascular protection, and astaxanthin to reinforce antioxidant intake.

Not recommended for people allergic to crustaceans. Consult a doctor if on anticoagulant treatment.

What’s the difference between Calanus oil and krill oil?

Krill oil contains phospholipids, while Calanus oil contains wax esters — two different lipid forms. Calanus also provides SDA and built-in natural astaxanthin. Both are alternatives to conventional fish oil, but Calanus sits lower on the food chain.

Does Calanus oil have a fishy taste?

No. The wax-ester form is digested more slowly in the intestine, which avoids the fishy burps and aftertaste typical of fish oils.

Herba Barona is an independent specialist supplement shop in the heart of Paris — established in 2006. What you order is genuinely on our shelves: we ship from our own stock, with no dropshipping and no long waits.

Visit us at 10 rue Théophile Roussel, Paris 12 — or use Click & Collect and pick up your order in-store. We also deliver across France and Europe. Friendly, expert advice in English from our team.

Where is the shop?

Herba Barona is at 10 rue Théophile Roussel, 75012 Paris — a two-minute walk from Ledru-Rollin (line 8), close to Bastille. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 9:30 am–6:30 pm.

Can I order online or collect in store?

Yes. We ship across France and Europe under the same conditions as our French store, or choose Click & Collect to pick up your order for free at our Paris shop.