Although some consider my aquarium techniques and style, sterile I am still fond of ‘pods and find they play an important role in all reef aquariums. Even with no substrate and minimal live rock their presence is easily seen in my systems. When hobbyists use the term “Pod” it generally signifies Amphipods, like the Gammarus [...]
Although some consider my aquarium techniques and style, sterile I am still fond of ‘pods and find they play an important role in all reef aquariums. Even with no substrate and minimal live rock their presence is easily seen in my systems. When hobbyists use the term “Pod” it generally signifies Amphipods, like the Gammarus Amphipod from the glassbox shown above, or Copepods. The best way to distinguish the two is by their eyes– Amphipods have two, while Copepods have just one. (MicroAngela has some amazing photographs of Copepods here.)
For a timely discussion on Copepod anatomy and diversity among the 4 free living Copepods (Calanoida, Cyclopoida, Harpacticoida, and Misophrioida) I encourage you to read Dr. Ron Shimek’s 2002 piece for ReefKeeping Magazine.
These creatures feed on detritus and algae and provide a natural food for our aquarium inhabitants. Amphipods can reach nearly 1/2″ in length making them a great natural snack for larger fish such as Pomacanthids and Chaetodontids. Copepods tend to be much smaller, becoming food sources for fish such as Mandarin Dragonets (Synchiropus spendidus) while copepod larva are a well suited food for Acroporas.
.25″ captive bred Synchiropus spendidus by Matt Wittenrich
As fish like the Synchiropus species increase in popularity so have many of the bottled Copepod products that claim to supplement and re-populate your copepod populations. The most common Copepod species offered is Tigriopus californicus a cool water species from the Western U.S. These tend to be larger in size and can prove useful in feeding finicky eaters, but there use beyond that is in question for myself.
Recent additions to the industry have brought smaller, faster reproducing species such as Acartia, Nitokra and Tisbe spp. These species appear to multiply faster and continue life within captivity. Some aquarists are even having success raising and growing populations in separate dedicated refugiums to continually repopulate their reef systems.
Are these packed pods really adding value and working? I am not sure yet. Besides a promotional bottle of Tigriopus californicus, I have always relied on live rock to create and sustain Copepod and Amphipod populations. I do hope the addition of these newer species being packaged will help in the care of finicky fish and juveniles. We plan to add some Tisbe spp. in the near future and we will update with results from there.
If you have experience culturing pods or adding “packaged pods”, do you feel they have helped your aquarium?
