Benefit of Copepods

Live Copepods are popular in the world of marine hobbyists as they have many benefits. However, some hobbyists are yet to discover the real perks of having Copepods in their aquarium. So why are these species so beneficial to your tank? Here are the top 5 reasons summarized for you to understand just what makes these little creatures so special…

1. Copepods are a healthy and highly nutritious food for your fish

Just as we know the benefits of humans consuming fish oil, if we look further into the food web, we discover that Copepods are the source of what actually provides these nutritional benefits. Copepods are little nutrition factories transforming the microalgae and bacteria they consume into a high protein source that is high in fatty acids. In fact, many marine fish can’t even survive without the particular fatty acid that Copepods contain.

2. Copepods link in the aquatic food web are essential

Copepods are a significant strand in the aquatic food web, mainly due to them being at the bottom of the food chain. Without Copepods and other crustaceans, much of the aquatic eco-system would not survive. Consider the relationship between whales and krill. Just as there is an enormous size difference between a krill to a whale, the size difference between a fish and Copepods is also huge. The benefits that these tiny species have on the larger species are undeniable, both in the wild and in our aquariums is undeniable. Of the many aspects to consider when starting an aquarium at home the benefits of a diverse biome in our oceans and reefs, applies equally to our home aquariums.

3. Many fish are highly dependent on copepods

Not only are Copepods extremely nutritious for fish, but many fish species cannot survive without eating Copepods when they are first born and some need a steady supply for life. Some of these species include Mandarin fishes, Sand Sifting Gobies, Sleeper Gobies, Clownfish, Signal/Crab Eye Goby, Coral goby, Seahorses, Sea Dragons and Pipefish. If you own any of the above species, it is especially important for you to add Copepods into your tank regularly.

4. Copepods keep your tank clean

Copepods naturally graze on algae and bacteria, they are not only a perfect food source for your fish; they are also essentially a natural tank cleaner. Copepods incorporate the protein and fatty acids from these food sources and their bodies concentrate it into a nutritious source of food for fish. Although your copepods may have food sources in the aquarium, we highly recommend dosing a diverse and nutritious phytoplankton such as our Phyto Buffet. This regimen will greatly increase the possibility of pods establishing a sustainable colony within your aquarium providing an endless food supply.

5. Copepods are highly cost-effective

You can even grow your own! Different factors determine the probability of copepods colonizing your tank.  These include water quality, available food sources for them, amount of predation from the POD HUNTERS mentioned above.  An alternative to purchasing an endless supply of copepods is to start your own culture.  This can be incredibly rewarding and is relatively easy, especially with our Custom culturing kits, complete with everything you need if you supply an air pump, some space and time. Our culturing “How To Guide” is digitally delivered to you so you can prepare and plan as our kits can be set up and operational upon delivery. We also include many helpful links to the various products we use. As a bonus, you’re saving money on purchasing Copepods and you will be contributing to your tank from the very first step in the food chain.