Parvocalanus crassirostris Copepods

Product Overview

Parvocalanus crassirostris is the tiny tropical calanoid copepod engineered by nature for coral feeding. These minute 0.4-0.6mm planktonic specialists represent the smallest copepod species available to reef aquarists, making them ideal for small-polyp stony corals, zoanthids, and other invertebrates with tiny feeding appendages. Their free-swimming behavior combined with diminutive size creates perfect coral prey that larger copepod species cannot match.

Ideal for SPS-dominated systems and coral propagation facilities, Parvocalanus colonizes the water column in dense swarms that provide continuous feeding opportunities. The tropical specialization (75-82°F optimal) ensures vigorous activity and reproduction in standard reef conditions. Their small size also makes them perfect starter food for copepod-eating fish like mandarins—newly introduced fish often accept Parvocalanus more readily than larger species. Despite their size, these calanoid copepods contain complete nutrition with balanced omega-3 profiles. Parvocalanus arrives in actively feeding cultures with live phytoplankton, actively reproducing and swarming through the water column.