Acartia tonsa Live Copepods

Product Overview

Acartia tonsa is the cold-water champion copepod for temperate marine systems and seasonal reef applications. These 0.8-1.2mm calanoid copepods thrive in cooler temperatures (55-75°F) that challenge tropical species, making them essential for coldwater marine aquariums, seahorse systems, and temperate biotope tanks. Their robust calanoid body structure and active swimming provide excellent nutrition with high protein and omega-3 content optimized for coldwater fish metabolism.

Ideal for aquarists maintaining non-tropical systems or dealing with seasonal temperature fluctuations, Acartia establishes reproducing populations where warm-water copepods fail. The active planktonic lifestyle creates continuous feeding opportunities for seahorses, pipefish, temperate wrasses, and other coldwater planktivores. Acartia's larger size compared to Parvocalanus but smaller profile than Pseudodiaptomus creates a versatile mid-sized prey item suitable for diverse fish. Their calanoid classification indicates superior nutritional quality compared to cyclopoid or harpacticoid copepods. Acartia arrives in actively feeding cultures with live phytoplankton, actively reproducing and adapted to perform in cooler conditions where other species slow down.