Reef Rain Blend
Reef Rain Blend
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Product Overview
Reef Rain is PodDrop's signature two-species copepod blend that delivers complete size diversity and ecosystem coverage through strategic species pairing. Combining Tigriopus californicus (large, 1.0-1.5mm surface specialists) with Tisbe biminiensis (small, 0.5-0.8mm benthic colonizers) creates a self-sustaining live food chain that feeds everything from mandarins and wrasses to small-polyp corals and zoanthids. The dual-species approach ensures your reef receives both meaty, high-visibility prey for fish and abundant microscopic nauplii for corals and juvenile organisms.
Perfect for aquarists seeking maximum impact from a single product, Reef Rain eliminates the guesswork of species selection by providing the two most proven, complementary copepod species in reef keeping. Tigriopus establishes visible surface populations with the fastest reproduction rates and highest omega-3 content, while Tisbe colonizes sandbed and rockwork crevices with cryptic breeding populations that produce continuous nauplii generations. The species occupy different ecological niches—no competition, just synergy. Both thrive on the same phytoplankton, making feeding simple while their combined reproduction creates exponential population growth. Reef Rain arrives in actively feeding cultures with live phytoplankton, meaning both species are already reproductive and begin establishing immediately upon introduction to your system.

Explore detailed care instructions, specifications, and policies below
Complete Size Range: Large Tigriopus (1-2mm) and small Tisbe (0.5-0.8mm) cover all feeding needs
Synergistic Species: Complementary species occupy different niches without direct competition
Maximum Reproduction: Tisbe's explosive breeding combined with Tigriopus hardiness
All Fish Types Covered: From mandarin dragonets to small gobies—one product feeds all
Coral and Fish Nutrition: Abundant nauplii for corals, adults for planktivorous fish
Self-Sustaining Ecosystem: Mixed populations create stable, long-term food web
Refugium Establishment: Both species thrive in refugiums with complementary behaviors
Complete Size Range: Large Tigriopus (1-2mm) and small Tisbe (0.5-0.8mm) cover all feeding needs
Synergistic Species: Complementary species occupy different niches without direct competition
Maximum Reproduction: Tisbe's explosive breeding combined with Tigriopus hardiness
All Fish Types Covered: From mandarin dragonets to small gobies—one product feeds all
Coral and Fish Nutrition: Abundant nauplii for corals, adults for planktivorous fish
Self-Sustaining Ecosystem: Mixed populations create stable, long-term food web
Refugium Establishment: Both species thrive in refugiums with complementary behaviors
Reef Rain represents the ideal starter copepod blend for reef aquariums, combining the best characteristics of two proven species. Tigriopus californicus provides large, hardy, highly visible copepods that tolerate wide parameter ranges and serve as premium food for larger fish. Tisbe biminiensis offers explosive reproduction rates and smaller size perfect for juvenile fish and coral feeding. Together, they create a complete copepod ecosystem with multiple life stages always available. This synergistic combination means constant food availability—while Tigriopus populations build steadily, Tisbe reproduces rapidly to fill gaps. Both species coexist peacefully, occupying different microhabitats and feeding strategies within your refugium and display tank.
Reef Rain represents the ideal starter copepod blend for reef aquariums, combining the best characteristics of two proven species. Tigriopus californicus provides large, hardy, highly visible copepods that tolerate wide parameter ranges and serve as premium food for larger fish. Tisbe biminiensis offers explosive reproduction rates and smaller size perfect for juvenile fish and coral feeding. Together, they create a complete copepod ecosystem with multiple life stages always available. This synergistic combination means constant food availability—while Tigriopus populations build steadily, Tisbe reproduces rapidly to fill gaps. Both species coexist peacefully, occupying different microhabitats and feeding strategies within your refugium and display tank.
Dual Size Advantage: Complete size range from 0.5mm to 2mm for all reef inhabitants
High Protein Content: 50-65% crude protein across both species
Rich Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Complete EPA and DHA profile from both species
Complete Amino Acids: All essential amino acids for optimal fish growth and coloration
Natural Carotenoids: Color-enhancing pigments from both species
Multi-Stage Nutrition: Nauplii, juveniles, and adults always available
Dual Size Advantage: Complete size range from 0.5mm to 2mm for all reef inhabitants
High Protein Content: 50-65% crude protein across both species
Rich Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Complete EPA and DHA profile from both species
Complete Amino Acids: All essential amino acids for optimal fish growth and coloration
Natural Carotenoids: Color-enhancing pigments from both species
Multi-Stage Nutrition: Nauplii, juveniles, and adults always available
Acclimation: Float the sealed container in your tank for 15-20 minutes to temperature acclimate. Slowly add small amounts of tank water over 10-15 minutes.
Introduction: Pour copepods into your refugium or sump after lights out for best survival. Both species will naturally distribute between refugium and display.
Timing: Add to established tanks (3+ months old) with stable parameters. Ideal before introducing copepod-eating fish to allow population establishment.
Population Boost: Start with 2-3 bottles per 50 gallons for mandarin dragonets or multiple planktivorous fish. For general reef maintenance, 1-2 bottles per 75 gallons establishes robust populations.
Refugium Setup: Both species thrive with macroalgae, live rock rubble, and moderate flow. Tisbe prefer substrate areas while Tigriopus occupy rocks and glass.
Acclimation: Float the sealed container in your tank for 15-20 minutes to temperature acclimate. Slowly add small amounts of tank water over 10-15 minutes.
Introduction: Pour copepods into your refugium or sump after lights out for best survival. Both species will naturally distribute between refugium and display.
Timing: Add to established tanks (3+ months old) with stable parameters. Ideal before introducing copepod-eating fish to allow population establishment.
Population Boost: Start with 2-3 bottles per 50 gallons for mandarin dragonets or multiple planktivorous fish. For general reef maintenance, 1-2 bottles per 75 gallons establishes robust populations.
Refugium Setup: Both species thrive with macroalgae, live rock rubble, and moderate flow. Tisbe prefer substrate areas while Tigriopus occupy rocks and glass.
Upon Arrival: Unpack immediately and inspect for active copepods. You should observe both large red-orange Tigriopus and smaller Tisbe swimming and crawling.
Short-Term Storage (up to 48 hours): Keep at room temperature (68-75°F) away from direct sunlight. Gentle aeration beneficial for holds over 24 hours.
Adding to Tank: Best added same day as arrival for maximum population establishment. Can be held up to 3 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. You should observe both large red-orange Tigriopus and smaller Tisbe swimming and crawling.
Short-Term Storage (up to 48 hours): Keep at room temperature (68-75°F) away from direct sunlight. Gentle aeration beneficial for holds over 24 hours.
Adding to Tank: Best added same day as arrival for maximum population establishment. Can be held up to 3 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 Reef Rain blend ships 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 Reef Rain blend ships 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 Reef Rain copepod blend is:
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
Mixed at optimal ratios for balanced ecosystem establishment
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 Reef Rain copepod blend is:
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
Mixed at optimal ratios for balanced ecosystem establishment
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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Ships Monday through Wednesday
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USA Aquacultured
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Free Shipping Order $55+
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