Feeding your Fish Fresh Copepods and Amphipods by Sean TajCopepods and Amphipods Fresh copepods and amphipods are a terrific alternative to the flakes or pellets that normally come to mind when you think of fish food. Not only does live fish food have more nutrients and health benefits for your fish, but the organisms also act as “cleaners” in a fish tank. Fresh copepods eat the plant or algae material that’s commonly found on the walls of your fish tank, which will make cleaning and maintenance much easier. Feeding copepods and amphipods to fish will also allow the fish to partake in some of the same predatory habits they would in their natural fresh or salt water environment. Buying copepods and amphipods online allows you to save a little money because you can buy them in bulk. In fact, the cost is one major reason many fish-owners avoid buying fresh copepods or fresh amphipods. Order online, though, and you’ll be glad you did. Amphipods are usually larger than copepods and have different benefits than other live fish food. Copepods, for example, are great for seeding new tanks while providing a continuous supply of fresh, live fish food for its inhabitants. Feeding copepods to fish allows you to take advantage of these benefits easily. The copepods will live out their life cycles within your tank, allowing the fish to feel a little bit more like they are in their own natural habitat. Buying Fresh Copepods Online Feeding copepods to fish is one of the best ways to ensure your fish live long lives that are as healthy as possible. While pellets and flakes sold in pet stores have become much better alternatives than they once were, nothing will beat fresh fish food. Copepods are usually the best option and you can buy them online easily. Simply make your selection and provide your billing/shipping information. Buying online is one reason people may hesitate when it comes to feeding copepods to fish. The idea of getting fresh fish food delivered regularly may not inspire a lot of confidence, but it really all depends on who you are buying from. If you buy from a reliable retailer or vender, you will be able to guarantee you’re getting the freshest supplies and food for your fish. These fresh amphipods, copepods, and phytoplankton (another popular option for fresh fish food) will be shipped to last. That means in the proper containers and with instructions as to how you should add them to your tank. You’ll feel much better about buying the food online!
john harrison says December 5, 2015 at 7:10 am I have only a small 10g reef, with one clown, LPS/SPS = Hammer, Blueberry Fan, 3 Goniopora, Zoanthids, and button Polyps. I am using Ocean Magik daily and I dosed a bag of Poseidons Feast at the end of October. When should I consider adding more Posedon’s feast and how should I dose inmy small reef? Thanks Reply
Brenda says June 3, 2019 at 11:01 pm Can they be fed to my freshwater fish? Would they also stay alive in freshwater aquariums, and clean them like reefs? Reply
Anthony says August 7, 2019 at 4:01 pm Is there a cost advantage to feeding copepods versus a frozen cubed food? Which would be most beneficial in the long run? Reply
ian m mahoney says August 20, 2019 at 11:25 am Since they are alive they will consume unwanted waste and reproduce providing continuous source of food for your fish. Reply
Tony Mutti says August 7, 2019 at 4:23 pm Variety is key. These are great because they not only feed the fish, but also serve as a clean up crew. Once been dosing my tanks with live pods for years. Reply
Terrence Harrison says August 7, 2019 at 4:24 pm Haven’t stocked tank yet but hopefully will be able to culture and grow own population to fees stock! Plus, always great to have readily available for purchase! Reply
Andy says August 7, 2019 at 6:20 pm My fish are definitely more active when there’s pods to hunt! Reply
Brandi says August 7, 2019 at 7:23 pm Adding pods to my tank made a huge difference in it’s appearance. It’s much cleaner looking now with far less work by me. Reply
susanstrling says January 20, 2020 at 5:18 pm Great information, in the process of starting my refugium and going to seed it with chaeto and copepods. Reply
Christian Musselman says August 7, 2019 at 8:05 pm I purchased some phytoplankton, when I went on vacation and my fish feeder overfed my fish…. rather than the nitrates going up … the plankton bloomed. I couldn’t see the other side of the tank. With that I have thousands of fairly large copepods.. or amphpods. Do I still need to feed my clown fish regular food.. or are these live critters enough? Reply
David says August 7, 2019 at 8:46 pm I feel lucky that I’m so close to you guys. Always available to get a new shipment if I need it. Reply
Marc Raupp says August 7, 2019 at 11:10 pm these things work. i will always dose phyto and pods and Algae Barn is my one stop shop. Reply
Timothy b says August 8, 2019 at 8:07 am Great read , I feed both due to having a mandarin dragonet Reply
Deborah says August 8, 2019 at 10:50 am Thanks for all the info, your website is truly educational! Reply
Brent Cox says August 9, 2019 at 11:55 am Just getting started in this hobby and I must say I find some really good knowledge in these articles. Thanks again. Reply
jeffreyfelter says August 9, 2019 at 2:55 pm After reading this it reminded me I need to order some pods Reply
John Worthington says August 9, 2019 at 5:50 pm when I feed with pods my fish are a lot more active and it gives him a food source all day instead of just feeding once or twice with pellets flake or Frozen Reply
Isaac Alves says August 12, 2019 at 3:30 pm Amphipods are my go to for my 3 year old Mandarin. And they’re super hardy. Reply
Bennett Sheppard says August 13, 2019 at 11:44 am Live pods are an absolute necessity for aquariums. I love seeing these posts that validate their importance. Reply
btack206 says August 18, 2019 at 3:22 pm Our pipefish loves hunting live copepods when we put them in his tank. You can almost see it in his eyes when it is time to eat! Reply
Ryan M. Vaughan says August 19, 2019 at 4:22 pm I find my fish love fresh copepods. It’s hard to keep a thriving population though. Make sure you have a large sumo because even with hiding places and plenty of live rock it can be tough to keep a population in a display tank. Reply
Kyle Frame says August 24, 2019 at 8:28 am I’ve always added them after cycling and gave them a month or better before adding and other live stock. Reply
glenzemke says August 23, 2019 at 8:36 pm I think buying in bulk is a great deal and allows them to produce in the tank Reply
glenzemke says August 23, 2019 at 8:55 pm I love the fact that it’s live food and they are also cleaners! Reply
Ricardo Munoz says August 27, 2019 at 3:56 pm My clowns are always munching on pods! Makes me wonder if I should even feed them smh Reply
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