Description

Copepods
Our copepod or “3 Pod Mix” includes Apocalypse panamensis,
Tigriopus californicus, Tisbe biminiesis.
Apocalypse panamensis
 Nutritional Information:
o Great source of highly unsaturated fats, omega 3 fatty acids, amino acids
protein, and high amounts of a xanthophyll carotenoid, astaxanthin.

 Size:
o Adults 70 – 700
 Reproduction Rate:
o Rapid reproduction rate with short gestation period. Lay eggs every 4-6 days,
which is about twice as fast as our other species.

 Reef Benefits and General Information
o Crawls on rocks, and glass, but most importantly the adults will swim through
the water column feeding on detritus, phytoplankton, algae, bacteria, and
ciliates. By doing this they help improve your water clarity by cleaning the water
column. Great food source for finicky eaters that prefer live foods such as
seahorses, pipe dragons, anthias, wrasse and mandarins. Eggs released from
females are a great food source for corals and filter feeders.

Tigriopus californicus
 Nutritional Information:
o Great source of highly unsaturated fats, omega 3 – fatty acids as well as amino
acids and a xanthophyll carotenoid, astaxanthin.

 Size:

o Adults 250-1500 Microns
 Reproduction Rate:
o High fertility rates, coupled with a short gestation period along with females
producing around 300 offspring. Reproduction rate gets higher in warmer water.

 Reef Benefits and General Information
o Red in color and has a 70-day lifespan and can handle large temperature swings
between 40 and 90 degrees. Tigs swim in the water column and make a jerking
motion that will attract fish. They also consume detritus, phytoplankton, and
unwanted algae in the aquarium. Great food source for finicky eaters that prefer
live foods such as seahorses, pipe dragons, anthias, wrasse and mandarins. Eggs
released from females are a great food source for corals and filter feeders.

Tisbe biminiesis
 Nutritional Information:
o Rich in lipids such as fatty acids, and from studies done they are creating their
own polyunsaturated fats ARA, DHA, and EPA. Great source of protein for fish, as
their mass is 40-50% protein!

 Reproduction Rate:
o Tisbe has a high production rate and a short gestation period.
 Size:
o The nauplii 10-20 microns and adults are 40-60 microns.
 Reef Benefits and General Information
o Tisbe belongs to the harpacticoid copepod family and are very small so they can
get into virtually any tight space to eat microalgae, fish waste, phytoplankton,
diatoms, bacteria (like biofilms), fungi, uneaten food and detritus. They are also
very adaptable and can handle large swings in reef parameters. Great food
source for finicky eaters that prefer live foods such as seahorses, pipe dragons,
anthias, wrasse and mandarins. Eggs released from females are a great food
source for corals and filter feeders.