How to Raise Copepods

Copepods are small, water-dwelling crustaceans. They live in every conceivable part of the ocean, from tide pools to ravines, and also in streams, rivers and lakes. Copepods are small enough that they can even live in the water that collects in round leaves.



Copepods can be parasites or part of symbiotic relationships, and are most important as members of the plankton population. They eat smaller plankton and sediment, and are food for fish, sharks and whales. For fish collectors, they are an important food source for pet fish.

Things You'll Need

  • Culture vessel (tank or container for starting the copepods)
  • Air stone
  • Air pump
  • Air tubing
  • Cover
  • Food source (Phyto-feast)
  • Copepod culture
  • Plankton strainer/collector
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Start your copepod culture and raise copepods independently before you put them in your main aquarium with your fish. This sets the copepod population, which will grow and become stable.

    • 2

      Decide on your culture vessel. You can use a large tank or a small plastic container, depending on the amount of space you have available. Fill two-thirds of the container with clean saltwater. Hook up the air stone, airline, and pump--copepods need air circulation in their water. The circulation also keeps the water from getting stale.

    • 3

      Pour the food source into the water. Pour only enough to slightly color the water. Adding too much food will make the water rotten.

    • 4

      Add your copepod culture (available for purchase at most fish and aquarium supply stores). Put the lid on the container.

    • 5

      Allow the container to sit for a couple of weeks. During that time, copepods will grow and reproduce. Feed your copepods their plankton food as necessary. The water should always be lightly tinted.

    • 6

      Use the plankton collector or a strainer to collect copepods. After you've collected copepods, add them to your aquarium for your fish to eat.