Culturing Copepods

[CACAdmin]

Quite by accident, I came across a couple of articles of interest on Copepods. I had no idea what they were until I read up on them but just the fact that they were described as 'microscopic crustaceans' tweaked my interest.

Upon reading, I discovered how nutritious they are as a food source in a reef aquarium, the different types and how to determine which ones are best for the type of fish you have. I have provided links to the articles below. However, in reading, I noted that copepods are found in water column of both marine and freshwater. Does anyone know if they would be suitable to culture for a freshwater aquarium?:FishQuestion:

Here are links the both articles. The 2nd one 'The Breeder's Net' includes detailed instructions on a method of culturing your own copepods to feed your fish.

'Pods Delicious and Nutritious By Adelaide Rhodes, Ph.D. (http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_2/cav2i1/Pods/pods.htm)

The Breeder's Net by Frank Marini & Dwayne Sapp (http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/breeder2.htm)

[Melody]

You will probably find more info under the common name 'Cyclops', since they're the most common variety in feshwater. They're those things that some people see hopping on the surface of their aquarium water.

I wouldn't introduce them myself - they've been known to go at larvae, eggs, etc and they feast on infusoria. You can, however, feed them frozen.

That is about the sum total of what I know off the top of my head and I'm not sure where I picked it up from so take it at face value. Mr. Mykiss, if he ever stops moving long enough to type, could provide you with much more information I'm sure.:smile:

[mykiss]

You can grow them in the freshwater habitat as well. I've grown some by accident but never enough to continually feed fish. They eat a bunch of decaying vegetation.

I do grow larger organisms such as amphipods e.g. gammarus and arthro pods e.g. daphnia. Those are more 'filling' for the fish then the tiny copepods.

[CACAdmin]

How easy are gammarus and daphnia to grow? Which type of fish do you feed them to? Do specific fish have a preference? And any negative side of introducing them into the community aquarium? Sorry, tons of questions, I know, but this all new to me... I appreciate any and all info you can provide. :notworthy:

[mykiss]

Well, I find them easy to keep. I just use a tank with aged water, some plants and feed now and then. I keep the daphnia and gammarus together.

There's no side affects of feeding them to the fish except that the fish goes nuts for them and that the orange/red fishes get more colour (well, my koi angels anyways).