AlgaGen Pods Apocyclops

Apocylops panamensis. This copepod is a Cyclopoid, different from Calanoids and Harpacticoids. It behaves similar to a harpacticoid and somewhat like a calanoid copepod in that there is activity on the substrate and movement throughout the water column.

This copepod comes from a shallow reef system in Panama. It lives slightly higher up in the water column than does Tisbe and, as such, will feed those organisms feeding in that level of the water column, including corals.

Some culturists have had success raising this copepod on paste. We have great success using live algae but note that it will feed on detritus, and like Tisbe, it will help keep the tank clean. One should be able to achieve very hi-production densities in culture and the tank. This copepod is great for refugiums and as live coral food. Do not worry about pumps and skimmers as this copepod does not seem to be much affected by them.

We recommend regular restocking of copepods to the tank due to copepods being a prime target in most marine organisms' food chains.

In the aquarium trade 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, phytoplankton, 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.

AlgaGenPODS(TM) 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!

Cyclopoids - AlgaGenPods Apocylops 

Apocyclops panamensis is a tropical cyclopoid copepod with nutritious lipid reserves ideal for feeding corals and rearing marine fish larvae. it is prolific and will produce millions of nauplii each day under ideal conditions. A great benefit of Apocyclops is that it can be cultured using algae paste.