When was PodDrop founded?

PodDrop was founded in 2022 by experienced reef hobbyists who were frustrated with inconsistent live copepod quality from other suppliers.

What copepod species does PodDrop culture?

PodDrop cultures premium copepod species including Tigriopus californicus, Tisbe biminiensis, Apocyclops panamensis, Parvocalanus crassirostris, Oithona colcarva, and Tigriopus sirindhornae, along with phytoplankton strains like Nannochloropsis, Rhodomonas, and Isochrysis galbana.

What makes PodDrop different from other copepod suppliers?

PodDrop ships live copepods actively feeding on fresh phytoplankton (not starving in sterile water), cultures fresh batches weekly in our licensed facility, and offers a 100% live arrival guarantee. Every batch is lab-tested for quality before shipping.

Where does PodDrop ship to?

PodDrop ships to all 50 United States with free 2-day shipping on orders over $55. Orders are dispatched Monday through Wednesday to ensure optimal arrival conditions.

About PodDrop - Licensed Aquaculture Lab Growing Premium Live Copepods

Q: Does PodDrop offer wholesale programs?

Yes, PodDrop offers specialized wholesale programs for aquarium stores, coral farms, breeding facilities, and marine research institutions. We provide bulk ordering, custom delivery schedules, and private label packaging options.

From passion for marine ecosystems to trusted copepod supplier—PodDrop brings science-driven aquaculture, ethical practices, and fresh live cultures to reef keepers nationwide. Discover how our commitment to quality nutrition is restoring balance and biodiversity to home aquariums, one bottle at a time.

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OUR MISSION - PREMIUM LIVE COPEPODS FOR HEALTHY REEF AQUARIUMS

At PodDrop, we're restoring natural food webs in home reef aquariums through premium live copepods and phytoplankton cultures. Founded by marine aquarists frustrated with inconsistent quality and poor survival rates from other suppliers, we created the most reliable live nutrition solution for reef tanks of all sizes.

Unlike general aquarium suppliers, we specialize exclusively in what we do best—culturing and delivering high-quality live copepods for sale and fresh phytoplankton. Every culture is grown under controlled lab conditions to ensure peak nutrition, vitality, and species purity. Our focus brings balance, biodiversity, and long-term stability to your reef ecosystem.

Why Specialized Copepod Blends Matter

Our signature formulations—like the Ultimate Blend—combine complementary copepod species (Tisbe, Tigriopus californicus, Apocyclops) that naturally work together across different reef tank zones. While other providers offer single-species bottles or basic blends, our research-driven approach recognizes that true ecosystem resilience depends on biodiversity and consistent nutrition from sustainable aquaculture.

Whether you're starting your first nano reef or maintaining a complex SPS-dominated system, PodDrop live copepods and phytoplankton bring your aquarium back to life—one bottle at a time.

OUR STORY - HOW PODDROP BECAME A TRUSTED LIVE COPEPOD SUPPLIER

PodDrop began in 2022 when our founders—experienced reef hobbyists—grew frustrated with inconsistent live copepod quality available for their reef tanks. After watching their prized mandarin dragonet struggle due to inadequate pod populations, they decided to apply their combined aquaculture expertise to solve this widespread problem.

Starting with a small cultivation system in a garage, they spent months perfecting optimal conditions for culturing Tisbe, Tigriopus, and Apocyclops copepod species. Word spread quickly through local reef clubs about their exceptional results, and demand grew rapidly. What began as a passion project soon evolved into a licensed aquaculture facility with specialized systems for copepod and phytoplankton production.

Today, PodDrop serves thousands of reef enthusiasts nationwide—from home hobbyists maintaining nano tanks to professional coral farmers managing commercial systems. Our team has expanded to include marine biologists, aquaculture specialists, and dedicated reef keepers who share our commitment to providing the freshest, most viable live copepods and phytoplankton available.

WHY REEF KEEPERS CHOOSE PODDROP LIVE COPEPODS

SUSTAINABLY CULTURED FOR PEAK FRESHNESS

Grown Fresh, Never Old Stock

All PodDrop live copepods and phytoplankton are cultured in controlled lab systems with stable temperature, salinity, and pH—ensuring optimal health and reproduction rates before shipping.

Every culture is fed nutrient-dense live Rhodomonas phytoplankton daily, maximizing omega-3 content and vitality. This means your copepods arrive actively feeding, not starving in sterile water like competitor products.

Quality Assurance You Can Trust

Each batch undergoes rigorous inspection for population density, activity levels, and species purity. Random water quality tests verify our cultures meet the highest aquaculture standards before bottling.

Bottled fresh on demand and shipped in insulated, temperature-controlled packaging for guaranteed live arrival to your reef tank.

SPECIES DIVERSITY & CUSTOM COPEPOD BLENDS

Premium Live Copepod Species:

We culture the most sought-after copepod species for reef aquariums, including:

Tigriopus californicus - Large, nutrient-rich copepods for fish coloration
Tisbe biminiensis - Hardy benthic species ideal for refugiums
Apocyclops panamensis - Fast-reproducing, versatile all-purpose copepods
Parvocalanus crassirostris - Micro copepods perfect for coral feeding
Oithona colcarva - Small pelagic species for finicky fish
Pseudo Copepods - Specialized cultures for targeted applications
Tigriopus sirindhornae - Premium tropical copepod strain

Expertly Formulated Copepod Blends:

Our signature blends—Ultimate, Nano, Harmony, Reef Rain, and Power—combine complementary copepod species tailored for specific tank sizes and experience levels. This biodiversity approach maximizes ecosystem stability and ensures all reef inhabitants receive optimal nutrition.

Live Phytoplankton Cultures:

We also produce premium phytoplankton strains:

Nannochloropsis - High lipid content for copepod feeding
Rhodomonas - Superior omega-3 profile for maximum nutrition
Isochrysis galbana - Essential fatty acids for coral and filter feeder health

Each phytoplankton strain supports different nutritional requirements in your reef ecosystem.

LAB-TESTED QUALITY, PROVEN REEF RESULTS

Scientifically Verified Performance

Our precision cultivation methods deliver measurable results:

✅ Stabilize Water Quality - Live copepods naturally control nuisance algae and provide continuous biological filtration for corals, filter feeders, and finicky fish like mandarin dragonets and wrasses

✅ Enhance Natural Behaviors - Promote natural hunting, grazing, and feeding instincts while boosting vibrant coloration and maintaining healthy, active reef inhabitants

✅ Universal Compatibility - Support both new nano reef setups (10-30 gallons) and mature commercial systems (500+ gallons) with appropriate species selection and stocking densities

Research-Backed Formulations

Unlike generic single-species bottles, our blends are designed using ecological research on copepod niche specialization. Benthic Tisbe colonize rockwork, pelagic Tigriopus swim in the water column, and semi-pelagic Apocyclops thrive in both zones—creating resilient, self-sustaining populations.

SOLUTIONS FOR HOBBYISTS & INDUSTRY PARTNERS

Live Copepods for Home Reef Aquariums

Whether you're cycling your first 10-gallon nano reef or maintaining a 500-gallon SPS-dominated display tank, we provide tailored live copepod and phytoplankton solutions to meet your specific needs.

Our single-species bottles (Tisbe, Tigriopus californicus, Apocyclops) and expertly crafted custom blends are designed to support various tank sizes and ecosystem requirements. From mandarin dragonet feeding to coral nutrition and refugium seeding, we combine premium live cultures with educational resources and expert guidance to help you maximize the benefits of natural reef nutrition.

Perfect for:

Nano reef setups (5-30 gallons)
Mixed reef community tanks (30-150 gallons)
Large display systems (150+ gallons)
Mandarin dragonet & finicky fish feeding
Coral feeding programs
Refugium establishment

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Wholesale Live Copepods for Industry Partners

For aquarium stores, coral farms, breeding facilities, and marine research institutions, we offer specialized wholesale live copepod and phytoplankton programs designed to integrate seamlessly with your operations.

Commercial Solutions Include:

Bulk ordering options with volume pricing
Custom culture timing and delivery schedules
Flexible weekly or monthly shipments
Private label packaging (upon request)
Technical support and culture consultation
Consistent quality from our licensed aquaculture facility

We work closely with industry partners nationwide to develop sustainable, reliable supply chains that support both business growth and marine conservation efforts. Our commercial customers rely on PodDrop for consistent copepod quality that keeps their customers' reef tanks thriving.

Industries We Serve:

Local fish stores (LFS) and aquarium retailers
Online reef equipment & livestock retailers
Coral propagation facilities
Fish breeding operations
Marine research laboratories
Public aquariums and educational facilities

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QUALITY GUARANTEE & LIVE ARRIVAL PROMISE

Quality isn't just a buzzword at PodDrop—it's the foundation of our live copepod business. Every batch undergoes rigorous testing and health verification before shipping from our licensed aquaculture facility. We maintain strict cultivation protocols to ensure consistency, species purity, and optimal nutrition in every bottle of live copepods and phytoplankton.

Temperature-Controlled Shipping for Live Arrival

Our shipping standards protect your investment in premium live nutrition. We utilize insulated, temperature-controlled packaging and specialized transport protocols designed specifically for live aquatic organisms.

Shipping Benefits:

Free 2-day shipping on orders over $55
Coverage across all 50 states
Monday-Wednesday dispatch (avoiding weekend delays)
Real-time tracking on every order
Guaranteed arrival in optimal condition

100% Live Arrival Guarantee - No Risk to You

We stand firmly behind our live copepod and phytoplankton cultures with our unconditional live arrival guarantee. If your copepods don't arrive alive, active, and healthy, we'll replace them at no cost to you—no questions asked.

Our straightforward claims process and responsive customer support team ensure any issues are resolved quickly and efficiently. Simply contact us within 24 hours of delivery with a photo, and we'll ship a replacement immediately.

From Lab to Reef - Commitment to Excellence

From careful cultivation in controlled lab conditions to doorstep delivery, our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction remains unwavering. We believe premium reef nutrition should be accessible, reliable, and effective—and we prove it with every order.

Our Promise:

✅ Freshly cultured copepods (never old stock)
✅ Lab-tested for density and purity
✅ Shipped with live phytoplankton food
✅ Temperature-controlled packaging
✅ Live arrival guaranteed or free replacement
✅ Responsive customer support

SHOP PREMIUM LIVE COPEPODS & PHYTOPLANKTON - FRESH FROM OUR LAB

Ready to experience healthier fish, thriving corals, and a balanced reef ecosystem? Explore our complete collection of live copepods for sale, phytoplankton cultures, and expertly crafted species blends—all sustainably cultured in our licensed aquaculture facility and shipped fresh with our live arrival guarantee.