<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2020-07-07</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000768408</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CYANOTECH CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CYAN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001789253</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Nordin Amy Beth</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>CYANOTECH CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>73-4460 QUEEN KAAHUMANU HWY #102</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>KAILUA-KONA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>HI</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>96740</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>VP, HR, Secretary</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Cyanotech common stock options</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>2.29</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2020-07-07</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>50000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2030-07-06</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Cyanotech common stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>50000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>50000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The stock options shall vest as to 12,500 shares on July 7, 2021, 12,500 shares on July 7, 2022, 12,500 shares on July 7, 2023 and 12,500 shares on July 7, 2024, in each case subject to continued service with Cyanotech on the vesting date.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/Laura L. Taylor, by Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2020-08-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
