copepod culture

[Reefen]

I want to start a copepod culture, can I grow several species together, or just stick to one species?

 

[PotatoPig]

In a culture you’ll eventually end up with one species that outcompetes the others.

If you want multiple species best to buy them separately and then culture separately. Note - the additional equipment to do this is minimal- just need another container and a splitter+valve for the air line.

 

[Jay'sReefBugs]

No you will need to culture them separately from one another. Each culture should have their own set of sives etc to minimize risk of contamination with another species.

 

[brclark82]

No you will need to culture them separately from one another. Each culture should have their own set of sives etc to minimize risk of contamination with another species.

Why is that? I literally have a bottle of your 7 species mix in a container attempting my first culture right now. I believe you I’m just curious why.

 

[Jay'sReefBugs]

Why is that? I literally have a bottle of your 7 species mix in a container attempting my first culture right now. I believe you I’m just curious why.

They out compete each other . I have to culture all them copepods separate then hand sive them into a bottle to make a finish product

 

[a007grif]

You can culture them together but like others have said, one will out compete and eventually you end up with 1 major species. I have been doing both for years, i have some single species containers and some that got contaminated years ago and still going strong with more than 1 species.

 

[reeferJMX]

I have recently attempted this with Algaebarn's Galaxy Pods (had 4 jars worth). Received it end of February 2023. Bought two Ikea jars, and a dual airline pump. Started feeding OceanMagik 5 ml each day. At this point, I can barely see pods, and both have became a phyto only jar . Expensive fail for me if that is the case.

How long should I see one type of pod on the glass jar if it is ready to be harvested? And I have stopped adding OceanMagik for now, as I don't see the saltwater clear up.

 

[lynn.reef.nerd]

So I have asked this in mutiple channels and I have not yet gotten any documentation that says yes or no.

Most are anecdotal. I also cannot find any paper regarding competition between the species if food is of abundance.

Edit:
- information regarding the common copepods that we culture in the hobby
- with abudance of available planktonic food