AlgaGenPODS™ is the copePOD line we have established to get, live fresh, appropriate copePODS to market. Every bottle is packed to order; we cannot inventory this product and still expect you to get fresh cultures. There is a lot of work that goes into each bottle because we pack each bottle specifically for each individual order. This effort is critical, so that we can get the freshest cultures, to you!
What are CopePODS?
There are 3 types of copePODS that tend to get bottled and sold; Harpacticoid (benthic), Calanoid (pelagic) and Cyclopoid (that can exhibit both benthic and/or pelagic characteristics). CopePODS in general are small, not be confused with amphipods which are bigger, comma shaped PODS. We do not call CopePODS microscopic because they can be seen with the naked eye, but the nauplii (babies) are. CopePODS play a very important role in the aquatic ecosystem. The bottom line is that they are critical in the cycling of carbon. CopePODS eat detritus, phytotplankton, dead, decaying matter, each other, and turn these items into important fatty acids. Calanoids tend to eat phytoplankton; harpacticoids tend to eat detritus; Cyclopoids are similar to both, and depending on the species some eat fecal pellets of other copePODS. Regardless, these fatty acids produced by the copePODS enter the food-chain when the copePODS are eaten. This is an oversimplification. The marine food chain relies on the copePOD as an important source for EFA (Essential Fatty Acids ). CopePODS are a key source of nutrition in the aquatic food chain.
Adding copePODS repeatedly to a stocked reef tank is very important. Many tanks are overstocked and no matter how big a refugium is, or how much live rock there is, or how many hiding places there are, it is questionable as to how well copePODS survive because they are being grazed ferociously by corals, fish, other PODS, you name it.
Cyclopoids - AlgaGenPods™ Apocyclops
Apocyclops is a cyclopoid copepod that is found in tropical waters throughout the world. It is a very opportunistic, colonizing copepod that can reach very high densities. This cyclopoid behaves a lot like a harpacticoid copepod in that the adults spend most of time on the substrate. The adults provide excellent food for mandarins, dragonettes, pipefishes, seahorses, leopard wrasses and anything that hunts for its food or picks off the substrate. The juveniles or nauplii will move through the water column making them an ideal candidate for a refugium or organisms that feed from the water column. The nauplii are very small, making them an appropriate LIVE food for even SPS corals. This CopePOD is a detritivore and will consume waste making it a perfect addition as the micro part of your clean-up crew. Apocyclops truly feeds your entire reef!
Storage: This copepod will last 2-3 months in a bottle and can be stored in temperatures above 50F and below 85F with our recommendation to store at 75-80F.
Use: Add near the bottom of the tank or in refugium when the lights are out.
Recommended dosage: One 8 oz. package per 2 feet of tank. For example, a 4’ long tank would need one 8 oz package on each end to allow for maximum colonization.
