Amphipods vs Copepods

[BestMomEver]

Back in the day, we were all about Amphipods. We got the flashlight out after lights out and watched them scurry around. It was cool to watch. I never saw them on sale anywhere and, even if I did, probably wouldn’t have considered purchasing them. We knew we had copepods but we didn’t pay too much attention to them. They were too small to see well and weren’t very interesting.

Fast forward and I can now by copepods by the 1000’s but it’s much more difficult to find amphipods. There are plenty of individuals that sell them. Indo Pacific Sea Farms sells them. I’ve never found any on Reef Cleaners, Algae Barn, or Live Aquaria. I know where I can get them, I’m just curious as to why more people don’t sell or buy them. If they were more available would you guys buy them?

 

[MombasaLionfish]

Back in the day, we were all about Amphipods. We got the flashlight out after lights out and watched them scurry around. It was cool to watch. I never saw them on sale anywhere and, even if I did, probably wouldn’t have considered purchasing them. We knew we had copepods but we didn’t pay too much attention to them. They were too small to see well and weren’t very interesting.

Fast forward and I can now by copepods by the 1000’s but it’s much more difficult to find amphipods. There are plenty of individuals that sell them. Indo Pacific Sea Farms sells them. I’ve never found any on Reef Cleaners, Algae Barn, or Live Aquaria. I know where I can get them, I’m just curious as to why more people don’t sell or buy them. If they were more available would you guys buy them?

I get them both as hitchhikers the only pods I have ever bought was tipsy pods.

 

[LiveWire]

I can relate @BestMomEver and enjoy having them in my systems. I normally buy them when they are on sale and normally get 2000 at a time. I believe they are not as easily cultured as copepods are and that is why they are not seen as often. I have not seen much info on breading them on MBI and I have tried to get information in the past on culturing them and its kinda like asking a BBQ chef for his secret sauce recipe nobody seems to want to tell anyone how to culture them.

 

[BestMomEver]

I can relate @BestMomEver and enjoy having them in my systems. I normally buy them when they are on sale and normally get 2000 at a time. I believe they are not as easily cultured as copepods are and that is why they are not seen as often. I have not seen much info on breading them on MBI and I have tried to get information in the past on culturing them and its kinda like asking a BBQ chef for his secret sauce recipe nobody seems to want to tell anyone how to culture them.

Indo Pacific Sea Farms has a amphipod breeding kit that I've considered. Problem is, I don't have a refugium and I'm not sure how hubby would feel about a random 5 gallon tank sitting out. Where do you get yours? @LiveRockmia sells them I think.

 

[BestMomEver]

I get them both as hitchhikers the only pods I have ever bought was tipsy pods.

I have to laugh at this.... you put tipsy pods and not tisby pods. I hope this is a typo. If not, I'm sorry if I insulted you....

 

[MombasaLionfish]

I have to laugh at this.... you put tipsy pods and not tisby pods. I hope this is a typo. If not, I'm sorry if I insulted you....

Lol Yes typo half the stuff I write is misspelled and the auto correct has to help out.

 

[JonoB]

I prefer tipsy pods, much slower and easier for mandarins to catch :D

 

[BestMomEver]

I prefer tipsy pods, much slower and easier for mandarins to catch :D

Maybe that's why I've never had much luck with mandarins. I guess I'm not adding enough vodka to my tank. ;Hilarious;Happy

 

[LiveWire]

Indo Pacific Sea Farms has a amphipod breeding kit that I've considered. Problem is, I don't have a refugium and I'm not sure how hubby would feel about a random 5 gallon tank sitting out. Where do you get yours? @LiveRockmia sells them I think.

I get them from AquariumDepot.com because you can get a ton at a reasonable price but only when they are on BOGO.

Lol Yes typo half the stuff I write is misspelled and the auto correct has to help out.

I prefer tipsy pods, much slower and easier for mandarins to catch :D

Its actually Tisbe Pods Fellas, But that is funny :D

 

[Hermie]

I wish I had more in my DT.
I bought some from both my LFS and online.

Both times, there were fewer than I would have liked, but I don't blame the suppliers.

They are slower growing than copepods.
And they are harder to "catch," which is my latest problem.

I have a bunch in QT right now, but I can hardly catch them to put in my DT. I have setup a "Trap" but it's had limited (read: virtually zero) success.

I am "all ears" if anyone has tips on catching them... I think that's part of why they are hard to "harvest" from the wild.

I wish my tank was filled with them.

 

[BestMomEver]

I get them from AquariumDepot.com because you can get a ton at a reasonable price but only when they are on BOGO.





Its actually Tisbe Pods Fellas, But that is funny :D

So correct you are... which even makes it more hilarious!

 

[MombasaLionfish]

I wish I had more in my DT.
I bought some from both my LFS and online.

Both times, there were fewer than I would have liked, but I don't blame the suppliers.

They are slower growing than copepods.
And they are harder to "catch," which is my latest problem.

I have a bunch in QT right now, but I can hardly catch them to put in my DT. I have setup a "Trap" but it's had limited (read: virtually zero) success.

I am "all ears" if anyone has tips on catching them... I think that's part of why they are hard to "harvest" from the wild.

I wish my tank was filled with them.

I have to go amphipod hunting once a month when I take out the chaeto and I comb through the entire thing finding hermits snails and amphipods.

 

[Hermie]

I have to go amphipod hunting once a month when I take out the chaeto and I comb through the entire thing finding hermits snails and amphipods.

I hate removing filter sponge/chaeto knowing that Im likely killing amphipods because they are so slow growing. I've been putting the chaeto remains in a bucket to later try to catch the pods but I believe there are ammonia spikes killing them. I tried different techniques to filter them from the chaeto...

I think a trap is best but I don't know the design... or the best bait

• dark or clear tube?
• algae or meat bait?

 

[Squidward]

I guess I'm the opposite. I hate those boogers. I only want smaller copepods in my tank.

 

[AquaLogic]

I wish I had more in my DT.
I bought some from both my LFS and online.

Both times, there were fewer than I would have liked, but I don't blame the suppliers.

They are slower growing than copepods.
And they are harder to "catch," which is my latest problem.

I have a bunch in QT right now, but I can hardly catch them to put in my DT. I have setup a "Trap" but it's had limited (read: virtually zero) success.

I am "all ears" if anyone has tips on catching them... I think that's part of why they are hard to "harvest" from the wild.

I wish my tank was filled with them.

Get a 3d printed copepod house and stuff a little nori in it. They will populate it immediately if it’s the only place to hide. They also like to hang out on macro algae.

 

[AquaLogic]

I guess I'm the opposite. I hate those boogers. I only want smaller copepods in my tank.

Why?