Copepods are the second largest source of protein in the oceans, second only to krill. They are the natural food of many fish in the oceans, especially the early life stages.

Some fish will not eat non-living foods, and require live feeds such as copepods and mysids. Some good examples are: mandarin gobies, any seahorse species, scooter blennies, and early life stages of dottybacks, chromis, tangs, flame angels, etc. Owner's of these type of fish definitely need a consistent and reliable source of copepods for feeding.

Reef tank systems do better when there are a variety of natural organisms to maintain the ecological balance. The reason that "live rock" or "live sand" is such a great item is that it provides a foundation for healthy microorganisms that will allow the larger, more visible fish and invertebrates to thrive.

Over time, the population of the invertebrates from the live rock will naturally decline, as they are grazed by the corals, anemones, fish and shrimp in the tank.

Mangroves & More copepods are a great way to boost your natural populations of copepods. 

Mangroves copepods are detritivores and will stay in your tank, thriving and reproducing without any additional food.

Live copepods are a preferred food source for a good many fishes and invertebrates.

Adding copepods to your aquarium will help corals enormously as they expand their feeding tentacles out at night. Mandarin fish, wrasses & scooter blennies will be plump as they are always on the prowl for the next bite. Nuisance microalgae will be under tight control. There will be a significant reduction in the accumulation of detritus. Live rock and sand will have an overall cleaner appearance.

Copepods can be found in virtually every natural marine ecosystem. And, their impact on these ecosystems is generally quite strong. By feeding on the particulate organic matter, protozoans and (especially) microalgae and then, in turn, is consumed by higher animals such as fish and corals copepods facilitate the transfer of food energy from lower to higher levels of the food chain.

And copepods are not just naturally abundant; they have a very impressive food value. They have a high protein content (44-52%).

Why buy Rotifers for my system?

 Rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis)        

 Rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis) are very tiny animals measuring  between 130-200 micrometers. Rotifers are often raised as food for live corals and fish larvae. They are the ideal starter food for species of fish such as clownfish fry which have tiny larvae with very, tiny mouths.

Almost any marine aquarium will benefit from the addition of rotifers, Their size and excellent nutritional value and make them the perfect live food for all (freshwater and marine) fry, anemones, sponges etc.

ACCLIMATION 

Mangroves Copepods are shipped in a 200ml bottle at 28 ppt to 32 ppt salinity (1.022 to 1.025) with a little bit of food (this food will not harm your tank residents). Copepods will settle to the bottom during shipping, so if you open the bottle and don't see any, try shaking it up.