Welcome to the largest selection of live copepods for sale online. Whether you're battling brown diatoms, feeding a hungry Mandarin dragonet, or trying to establish a self-sustaining pod population in your refugium, you've come to the right place. Our copepods are 100% alive, species-identified, and shipped with live phytoplankton to ensure maximum survival and reproduction in your saltwater aquarium.
Unlike dead or freeze-dried alternatives, live copepods actively graze on detritus, consume nuisance algae, and continuously reproduce — providing a permanent live food source for your fish and corals. Browse our collection below and choose the right pod blend for your tank size and stocking needs.
Why Buy Copepods from Us?
Not all copepods are the same. Many aquarium stores sell mixed bags with unknown species or low viability. We take a different approach:
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Species-specific blends: We offer Tisbe, Tigriopus, Apocyclops, and custom mixes so you get the right pod for your tank's needs.
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Live arrival guarantee: Every order ships Monday–Wednesday via Priority Mail with insulated packaging. If your pods arrive without visible movement, we replace or refund.
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Shipped with live phytoplankton: Our pods arrive fed and active — not starving. This gives them a head start in your tank.
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High-density counts: Minimum 3,000+ adult pods per 16oz bottle (6,000+ for 32oz). You get what you pay for.
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Bred in the USA: All cultures are grown in controlled, contaminant-free facilities. No pests, no predators, just clean pods.
Which Copepod Species Is Right for Your Tank?
Different copepod species occupy different niches in your aquarium. Here's a quick guide to help you choose:
Tisbe biminiensis – The Rock & Sand Cleaner
Best for: Detritus control, sand bed aeration, established tanks with live rock.
Behavior: Burrows into substrate and rock crevices. Excellent at consuming fish waste and leftover food.
Ideal tank mates: All reef fish, especially bottom-dwellers like gobies and blennies.
Tigriopus californicus – The Water Column Swimmer
Best for: Feeding mandarins, wrasses, seahorses, and other active planktivores.
Behavior: Swims freely in the water column, making them easy prey for fish. Highly nutritious with high omega-3 content.
Ideal tank mates: Mandarin dragonets, anthias, wrasses, seahorses, and pipefish.
Apocyclops panamensis – The Glass & Film Algae Grazer
Best for: New tanks, algae-prone systems, nano reefs.
Behavior: Crawls on glass, rocks, and equipment eating brown diatoms and film algae. Tolerates a wide range of temperatures.
Ideal tank mates: All reef fish; particularly useful in refugiums and frag tanks.
Our Most Popular Copepod Products
🦐 16oz Live Copepod Blend (Tisbe + Tigriopus) – Our best-seller for tanks 20-75 gallons. 3,000+ adult pods. Perfect for mandarins and general algae control.
🦐 32oz Live Copepod Blend (Tisbe + Tigriopus) – Designed for large tanks (75+ gallons) or heavy pod predators. 6,000+ adult pods. Best value per pod.
🦐 Copepod + Phytoplankton Bundle – Includes live pods AND live Nannochloropsis phyto. The complete ecosystem starter kit.
Benefits of Adding Live Copepods to Your Reef Tank
Still wondering if copepods are worth the investment? Here's what a healthy pod population does for your aquarium:
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Natural algae control: Copepods eat brown diatoms, cyanobacteria, and film algae — without chemicals.
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Continuous live food: Once established, pods reproduce constantly, feeding mandarins, wrasses, and seahorses 24/7.
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Coral nutrition: Pods release microscopic nauplii (babies) that LPS and SPS corals capture and eat.
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Detritus removal: Pods consume fish waste and uneaten food, reducing nitrates and phosphates.
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Substrate aeration: Burrowing pods prevent toxic gas pockets from forming in your sand bed.
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Natural fish behavior: Pods encourage hunting and grazing, reducing stress in captive fish.
How to Establish a Thriving Copepod Population
Buying copepods is only the first step. To keep them alive and breeding, follow these simple guidelines:
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Create a refugium or pod safe zone: Dense macroalgae (chaeto), rubble rock, or a mesh "pod hotel" gives pods a place to breed without being eaten.
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Turn off skimmer and UV when adding: Protein skimmers and UV sterilizers kill or remove pods. Keep them off for 2-4 hours after adding new pods.
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Feed live phytoplankton: Copepods need microalgae to reproduce. Dose live Nannochloropsis 2-3 times per week.
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Avoid aggressive filtration: Fine filter socks and canister filters trap pods. Use sponge pre-filters or coarse socks instead.
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Be patient: It takes 2-4 weeks for a visible pod population to establish. Use a red flashlight at night to monitor them on glass and rock.
Frequently Asked Questions About Buying Copepods
Q: How many copepods do I need for my tank?
A: For tanks under 40 gallons, a 16oz bottle is sufficient. For 40-100 gallons, start with 16oz and add a second bottle after 2 weeks. For 100+ gallons or heavy predators, choose our 32oz size or triple-species combo.
Q: Will copepods survive in a new tank?
A: Yes — but they need food. New tanks have little detritus or algae. Dose live phytoplankton daily for the first two weeks to keep them alive until the tank matures.
Q: Can I add copepods directly to my display tank with fish?
A: Absolutely. However, if you have aggressive pod-eaters like wrasses or mandarins, consider adding a refugium first. Otherwise, add pods at night when fish are less active and pour near rockwork.
Q: How long do copepods live in the bottle before shipping?
A: We harvest and ship within 24-48 hours. Pods are packed with oxygenated water and a small amount of phytoplankton. Use them within 3-5 days of arrival for best results.
Q: Do you ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally?
A: Currently we ship to all 48 contiguous US states. For Alaska, Hawaii, or international orders, please contact us for custom shipping rates and live arrival terms.
Ready to Add Live Copepods to Your Reef?
Stop struggling with algae blooms, starving mandarins, and sterile tank syndrome. Live copepods are the most natural, effective way to clean your tank and feed your fish simultaneously. Browse our collection below and choose the right size and species blend for your aquarium.
All orders ship within 24 hours with live arrival guaranteed. Add copepods to your cart today and see the difference by morning.
