Sterols were identified in six marine prymnesiophyte isolates, some of which appear to have value as bivalve food. The principal sterol in Pleurochrysis carterae (Milford #961) and an unidentified prymnesiophyte (CCMP1215) was 24-methylcholesta-5,22-dienol, a common sterol in prymnesiophytes. Isolates CCMP594, CCMP609, and CCMP459 contained either 24-ethylcholesta-5,22-dienol or 24-ethylcholest-22-enol as the major sterol. In addition, Pavlova pinguis (CCMP609) and Pavlova sp. (CCMP459) contained the unusual dihydroxysterols 24-methylpavlovol and 24-ethylpavlovol, which have been found only in members of the Pavlovalves. Prymnesium parvum contained cholesterol without traces of other sterols. Compared to the other isolates, the quantity of sterols was extremely low in P. parvum.