DT's Live Marine Copepods
Copepods that actually thrive in reef aquariums!
These subtropical Harpacticoid copepods are a warm water species
that will develop a thriving population in reef aquariums. Copepods
are an especially nutritious small prey item for many corals and small
fish. This species has an adult size of about 900 microns.
Copepods feed on phytoplankton and are also an excellent
scavenger, feeding on detritus of any kind. The best place for
these copepods to reproduce and grow is in a refugium or aquarium.
It is our intention to provide a starter culture of copepods that will
thrive in reef aquariums. We cultured this species at an average
temperature of 82.5°F (28°C), so it is a species that will do very
well in a reef tank.
These copepods are also very tolerant of cooler water and will
do just fine in the 70’s, so they can be kept or cultured at normal
room temperature.
Harpacticoid copepods have a life span of approximately 2 months.
Some of the adults that are harvested will be near the end of their life
span. There will also be eggs hatching and other individuals that will
not easily be visible without the aid of magnification. We have test
jars that have been kept for months and it is obvious by their
population that they are reproducing in the jars.
They are not invisible!
These are very small copepods even as adults. The copepidite
and nauplius stages are much smaller.
The copepods can be seen by using a flashlight to shine light up
through the bottom of the jar while looking down from the top.
Many of the copepods will remain on the bottom. Watch for very tiny
white shapes, some of them may be moving when the light shines on
them. They will also be seen on the sides of the jar.
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