Copepods for reef tanks
The short answer: copepods are the living base of a reef tank's food web — they feed mandarins, wrasses, seahorses, corals, and fry, and they graze detritus and nuisance algae. Seed them at night with the pumps off, give them a refuge, and feed them phytoplankton so they keep breeding instead of just getting eaten.
The three species, and what each does
| Species | Where it lives | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Tisbe | Benthic — in rockwork and on surfaces | Seeding rockwork; hardy, reproduces in the tank |
| Tigriopus | Crawls and swims; hardy scavenger | Detritus and algae grazing; general reef seeding |
| Apocyclops | Water column | Fry, seahorses, and corals — fastest reproduction of the three |
A three-species mix covers all three zones of the tank at once, which is why mixed jars are popular. A single-species jar works too — Tisbe alone is a solid choice for rockwork seeding.
How to add copepods
- Float the jar toward tank temperature before opening, so the pods aren't shocked by a sudden change.
- Wait until 1-2 hours after lights out, when fish are calm and corals are feeding.
- Turn the return pump off so the pods can settle into rockwork instead of being swept straight into fish mouths.
- Pour some into the refugium too, if you have one — a predator-free refuge is what keeps a population breeding long-term.
- Turn the pump back on after the pods have had time to find hiding spots.
How many, and how often to re-seed
A widely used seeding rule is about one bottle of copepods per 25 gallons. Expect a population bloom in the first month, then a settle-down to whatever level your tank's food and predators support — pods self-regulate, so you can't really overdose a tank. If you keep heavy pod-eaters such as mandarins, plan to re-seed every few months (many keepers re-seed roughly every 6 months) to keep the population ahead of predation.
Feeding your pods
Pods eat detritus, algae, and waste, but dosing live phytoplankton is what turns a seeded tank into a breeding population — especially in newer tanks with less organic matter to recycle. Dose phytoplankton regularly after seeding; sellers generally recommend daily phytoplankton dosing while establishing a population. A refugium with macroalgae gives pods both food and shelter, which is the most reliable long-term setup.
Who eats them: mandarin dragonets, wrasses, scooter blennies, seahorses, pipefish, anthias, LPS and SPS corals, clams, and fry all take copepods. If your tank has any of these, a standing pod population is less a luxury than a food supply.
Order the feeders in this guide
5280 Pods - 3-Species Mix - 16 oz jar
$50.99
AlgaeBarn · Shipping calculated at checkout
The flagship three-species copepod blend — 5,280+ pods per jar — for reef tanks that need a diverse, self-sustaining pod population....
You order here; we place your order with the breeder, and the breeder ships direct to you in the breeder's packaging and branding. Live arrival is covered within the supplying breeder's window — see our live arrival policy. General keeper guidance only, not veterinary advice: if your animal is sick, not eating, or losing weight, see a reptile or aquatic vet.