Oithona colcarva Live Copepods
Oithona colcarva Live Copepods
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Product Overview
Oithona colcarva is the ambush predator of the copepod world—a carnivorous cyclopoid species that hunts other microorganisms while serving as premium nutrition for reef fish and corals. These 0.6-0.9mm copepods exhibit unique "sit-and-wait" behavior, hovering motionless in the water column before rapid attack strikes. This hunting behavior creates distinctive movement patterns that trigger feeding responses in picky fish while their carnivorous diet concentrates nutrients and omega-3s beyond herbivorous copepod levels.
Perfect for advanced reefers seeking ecosystem complexity, Oithona adds a predatory component to your microfauna community. They naturally control other microorganism populations while converting that biomass into high-quality fish and coral food. The cyclopoid body structure and carnivorous nutrition create dense, protein-rich prey with exceptional fatty acid profiles. Oithona's temperate-tropical range (68-78°F) makes them adaptable to various system temperatures. Their intermediate size and unique behavior pattern fill ecological niches that standard herbivorous copepods don't occupy. Oithona arrives in actively feeding cultures, already exhibiting their characteristic hunting behavior.
Explore detailed care instructions, specifications, and policies below
Smallest Available Species: Tiny adults (0.3-0.6mm) and nauplii perfect for coral feeding
Ideal Coral Food: Optimal size for SPS polyps, LPS corals, and gorgonians
Juvenile Fish Nutrition: Essential live food for fish fry and newly hatched specimens
Continuous Water Column Presence: Cyclopoid swimming keeps them suspended and available
Filter Feeder Support: Perfect size for clams, feather dusters, and non-photosynthetic corals
Planktonic Lifestyle: Mimics natural reef zooplankton behavior and availability
Smallest Available Species: Tiny adults (0.3-0.6mm) and nauplii perfect for coral feeding
Ideal Coral Food: Optimal size for SPS polyps, LPS corals, and gorgonians
Juvenile Fish Nutrition: Essential live food for fish fry and newly hatched specimens
Continuous Water Column Presence: Cyclopoid swimming keeps them suspended and available
Filter Feeder Support: Perfect size for clams, feather dusters, and non-photosynthetic corals
Planktonic Lifestyle: Mimics natural reef zooplankton behavior and availability
Oithona colcarva represents the smallest copepod species cultured for reef aquariums, filling a critical size gap that other copepods cannot address. These diminutive cyclopoids spend their entire life cycle in the water column, rarely settling on surfaces. They tolerate temperatures from 72-82°F and maintain active populations in well-established reef systems. Their micro-size means they're less visible than other species, but their ecological value is unmatched for coral-dominant aquariums and breeding systems. Oithona are particularly valuable when paired with larger copepod species, creating a complete size range of live zooplankton.
Oithona colcarva represents the smallest copepod species cultured for reef aquariums, filling a critical size gap that other copepods cannot address. These diminutive cyclopoids spend their entire life cycle in the water column, rarely settling on surfaces. They tolerate temperatures from 72-82°F and maintain active populations in well-established reef systems. Their micro-size means they're less visible than other species, but their ecological value is unmatched for coral-dominant aquariums and breeding systems. Oithona are particularly valuable when paired with larger copepod species, creating a complete size range of live zooplankton.
High Protein Density: 58-68% crude protein by dry weight despite small size
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Rich EPA and DHA concentration for coral and fish health
Optimal Particle Size: Perfect dimensions for coral polyp capture and consumption
Essential Amino Acids: Complete nutritional profile in easily digestible form
Natural Marine Lipids: Critical for coral tissue development and growth
Probiotic Benefits: Live gut flora supports beneficial bacteria in reef systems
High Protein Density: 58-68% crude protein by dry weight despite small size
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Rich EPA and DHA concentration for coral and fish health
Optimal Particle Size: Perfect dimensions for coral polyp capture and consumption
Essential Amino Acids: Complete nutritional profile in easily digestible form
Natural Marine Lipids: Critical for coral tissue development and growth
Probiotic Benefits: Live gut flora supports beneficial bacteria in reef systems
Acclimation: Float the sealed container in your tank for 15-20 minutes to temperature acclimate. Slowly add small amounts of tank water over 10 minutes.
Introduction: Pour copepods into your display tank or refugium during feeding time. Their planktonic nature means they'll distribute throughout the water column naturally.
Timing: Add to well-established tanks (4+ months old) with mature microbial communities and stable parameters. Regular phytoplankton supplementation helps sustain populations.
Population Boost: Start with 1-2 bottles per 50 gallons for coral-focused tanks. Bi-weekly additions recommended for systems with heavy coral loads or breeding programs.
Acclimation: Float the sealed container in your tank for 15-20 minutes to temperature acclimate. Slowly add small amounts of tank water over 10 minutes.
Introduction: Pour copepods into your display tank or refugium during feeding time. Their planktonic nature means they'll distribute throughout the water column naturally.
Timing: Add to well-established tanks (4+ months old) with mature microbial communities and stable parameters. Regular phytoplankton supplementation helps sustain populations.
Population Boost: Start with 1-2 bottles per 50 gallons for coral-focused tanks. Bi-weekly additions recommended for systems with heavy coral loads or breeding programs.
Upon Arrival: Unpack immediately and inspect for active copepods. Small size means you'll see them as tiny moving specks in the water.
Short-Term Storage (up to 48 hours): Keep at room temperature (72-78°F) away from direct sunlight. Gentle aeration strongly recommended for holds over 24 hours.
Adding to Tank: Best added same day as arrival for maximum viability. Can be held up to 2 days with cool temperatures and gentle aeration.
Feeding: Our copepods ship with live phytoplankton food supply—no feeding needed before adding to your tank.
Upon Arrival: Unpack immediately and inspect for active copepods. Small size means you'll see them as tiny moving specks in the water.
Short-Term Storage (up to 48 hours): Keep at room temperature (72-78°F) away from direct sunlight. Gentle aeration strongly recommended for holds over 24 hours.
Adding to Tank: Best added same day as arrival for maximum viability. Can be held up to 2 days with cool temperatures and gentle aeration.
Feeding: Our copepods ship with live phytoplankton food supply—no feeding needed before adding to your tank.
All PodDrop copepods are guaranteed to arrive alive and actively moving. Our cultures ship with live phytoplankton to maintain health during transit. If copepods arrive deceased or your order has issues, contact us within 2 hours of delivery with photos for replacement or refund. We ship using proven methods to ensure viable populations reach your reef aquarium.
All PodDrop copepods are guaranteed to arrive alive and actively moving. Our cultures ship with live phytoplankton to maintain health during transit. If copepods arrive deceased or your order has issues, contact us within 2 hours of delivery with photos for replacement or refund. We ship using proven methods to ensure viable populations reach your reef aquarium.
Shipping: Monday-Wednesday via UPS 2nd Day Air for fast, reliable delivery. Arizona aquaculture license #91 ensures legal, biosecure cultures. Includes insulation and temperature protection.
Weather Delays: We monitor conditions and may hold orders for extreme temperatures to ensure live arrival.
Returns: Live copepods cannot be returned once shipped due to their perishable nature. Contact us before shipping for order modifications.
Tracking: Confirmation email sent when your order ships with UPS tracking number.
Shipping: Monday-Wednesday via UPS 2nd Day Air for fast, reliable delivery. Arizona aquaculture license #91 ensures legal, biosecure cultures. Includes insulation and temperature protection.
Weather Delays: We monitor conditions and may hold orders for extreme temperatures to ensure live arrival.
Returns: Live copepods cannot be returned once shipped due to their perishable nature. Contact us before shipping for order modifications.
Tracking: Confirmation email sent when your order ships with UPS tracking number.
PodDrop operates as a licensed Arizona aquaculture facility (AQ License #91) following strict biosecurity and handling protocols. Our Oithona colcarva cultures are:
Raised in isolated, quarantine-controlled systems
Free from parasites, diseases, and pest organisms
Packaged in food-grade, sealed containers for biosecurity
Shipped in compliance with USDA and state aquaculture regulations
100% aquacultured for sustainability and biosecurity
Proper Handling: Wash hands before and after handling. Never release copepods into natural waterways. Dispose of packaging responsibly.
PodDrop operates as a licensed Arizona aquaculture facility (AQ License #91) following strict biosecurity and handling protocols. Our Oithona colcarva cultures are:
Raised in isolated, quarantine-controlled systems
Free from parasites, diseases, and pest organisms
Packaged in food-grade, sealed containers for biosecurity
Shipped in compliance with USDA and state aquaculture regulations
100% aquacultured for sustainability and biosecurity
Proper Handling: Wash hands before and after handling. Never release copepods into natural waterways. Dispose of packaging responsibly.
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