Live Small Marine Copepods 25 × 90 ml

Live small marine copepods are tiny saltwater crustaceans and a natural component of marine zooplankton. They provide an important food source for fish larvae, small marine fish, corals, and other animals that capture plankton from the water.

The copepods move actively through the water column and across aquarium surfaces. Their movement stimulates natural hunting and foraging behaviour and may encourage selective species that do not readily accept dry or non-moving foods.

Small marine copepods are particularly useful for mandarinfish, smaller wrasses, seahorses, pipefish, and other marine fish that naturally consume tiny live prey. They also provide suitably small supplementary food for fish larvae and small-mouthed species that may be unable to consume adult Artemia or larger live foods.

Corals and other filter-feeding invertebrates capable of capturing fine zooplankton may consume copepods or their smaller developmental stages. Suitability depends on the species, feeding method, and actual size of the copepods.

Live copepods naturally contain protein, vitamins, and fatty acids important for fish growth and development. Their precise nutritional profile depends on the copepod species, developmental stage, and diet.

The copepods can be offered directly as live food or introduced into the display aquarium and refugium to strengthen the natural microfauna. Some individuals may find shelter within live rock, algae, substrate, and refugium areas and establish a reproducing population.

Successful establishment depends on aquarium conditions, copepod species, available food, and predation pressure. Aquariums containing fish that feed heavily on copepods may require regular population replenishment.

A refugium provides a protected breeding area where copepods can reproduce without constant predation. Porous live rock, macroalgae, and suitable microalgae-based food can support the population.

When introducing copepods as a breeding population, add them after the aquarium lights have switched off. Flow pumps, the return pump, protein skimmer, and ultraviolet sterilizer can be paused briefly to allow the copepods to settle into rockwork, substrate, and the refugium. Restore all essential circulation and life-support equipment after introduction.

When used for immediate feeding, strain the package contents through a fine plankton sieve. Rinse the copepods with clean aquarium-appropriate saltwater when required and add them in controlled portions.

The sales unit contains 25 individual 90 ml portions. This format is particularly suitable for aquarium shops, marine fish breeders, and keepers maintaining several reef aquariums.

Key features

• Live zooplankton for marine aquariums
• Contains small live marine copepods
• Suitable for small-mouthed marine fish
• Suitable for fish larvae
• Suitable for many zooplankton-feeding corals
• Suitable for selected filter-feeding marine invertebrates
• Stimulates natural foraging behaviour
• Often encourages selective fish to feed
• Naturally contains protein and fatty acids
• Can be added directly to the display aquarium
• Can be introduced into a refugium
• May improve reef aquarium microfauna
• May establish a reproducing population under suitable conditions
• Suitable for replenishing a natural live food population
• Volume of each portion is 90 ml
• Sales unit contains 25 portions
• Total content is 25 × 90 ml

Suitable for

• Mandarinfish
• Seahorses
• Pipefish
• Smaller wrasses
• Small-mouthed marine fish
• Marine fish larvae
• Corals that capture zooplankton
• Filter-feeding marine invertebrates
• Supporting reef aquarium microfauna
• Establishing a live population in a refugium
• Selective marine fish

Feeding instructions

1. Check that the copepods are alive and moving actively.
2. Use only the quantity required for one feeding.
3. Strain them through a very fine plankton sieve when required.
4. Rinse with clean aquarium-appropriate saltwater.
5. Temporarily reduce strong circulation during feeding.
6. Add the copepods in small portions.
7. Target-feed near corals or slow-feeding animals when required.
8. Restore normal aquarium circulation after feeding.
9. Use as part of a varied, species-appropriate diet.

Establishing a live population

1. Add the copepods after the aquarium lights have switched off.
2. Pause the protein skimmer and ultraviolet sterilizer briefly.
3. Reduce strong circulation during introduction.
4. Add part of the culture close to live rock.
5. Add part of the culture to the refugium when available.
6. Allow time for the copepods to settle into protected areas.
7. Restore filtration, oxygenation, and normal circulation.
8. Avoid intensive mechanical cleaning immediately after introduction.
9. Replenish the population when required by predation pressure.

Storage and delivery

Store live marine copepods at the temperature specified on the package or by the supplier. Protect the portions from direct sunlight, excessive heat, and freezing. Use as fresh as possible and check the condition of the copepods before introduction.

This is a live and perishable product. Availability, dispatch days, and delivery methods may differ from those used for ordinary dry products.