Copepods? The benefits.

[rcasa]

Wondering about copepods. I’ve heard of them and wonder what they actually do and benefit any aquarium.

I’m not only looking to see how they benefit and when and what to add them too but I’m also wondering when is not a good ideas to add them and also what’s the down fall if there is one.

Finding new ways to benefit my reef aquarium and I’m curious

Also have questions,
1.What would be the best way to not allow any of the live stock fish/inverts I have in my newest aquarium get sick. I know some come naturally but most of the time there’s not just a simple reason. I’m really wondering.

2. I have about a decent size scopas tang living in my 75 gallon and another one in my 200. I’m curious if I should move both together and bring the 75 gallon one to the 200??. I’m also wondering if you can even keep two scopas tangs in a big enough tank , wondering if they’ll be differently aggressive with each other or not mind

 

[Kooma]

Pods, great food source for certain fish. Also a great cleanup crew.

1. Quarantine your incoming fish coral and cleanup crew. Copper treatment, fallow periods, search for quarantine protocols on here.

2. Two scopas will most likely bicker and fight even in the 200 unless you removed your 200g scopas for a few weeks then add both to the 200 at the same time. Even then, they may not get along.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I figure they must have some small role in the ecosystem that is my aquarium, but there is no real benefit that my eyes can see. They are too small for 99% of fish to eat. They only eat single cell algae's, so its a myth they will clear your tank of algae. It cost $30 for a small 6 ounce bottle, but if you've ever tried to culture it yourself you know its basically free. Its pure profit, thats why influencers push it so much IMO.

 

[unbeknownst]

I believe Ryan Batchellor proved in one of hid presentations that pods eat dinos which can be supper helpful in bad outbreaks.

 

[Bear22]

I figure they must have some small role in the ecosystem that is my aquarium, but there is no real benefit that my eyes can see. They are too small for 99% of fish to eat. They only eat single cell algae's, so its a myth they will clear your tank of algae. It cost $30 for a small 6 ounce bottle, but if you've ever tried to culture it yourself you know its basically free. Its pure profit, thats why influencers push it so much IMO.

99%? Where did you get that number from? 100% of my fish graze on copepods from sun up to sun down.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

99%? Where did you get that number from? 100% of my fish graze on copepods from sun up to sun down.

pods are so tiny they are invisible to our eyes so I don't know how you can differentiate between pods, biofilm, micro algae, worms, amphipods, etc... how can you say specifically pods all day?

 

[Bear22]

pods are so tiny they are invisible to our eyes so I don't know how you can differentiate between pods, biofilm, micro algae, worms, amphipods, etc... how can you say specifically pods all day?

Easy, it's called dry rock. Not to mention, it was me who seeded the tank with multiple species of pods from the inception of the tank.

Second, what do you mean pods are "invisible"? I visibly see pods all over the rock, the glass, etc. Not to mention one can visible see the pods within the container they shipped in.

Still waiting on some data on that "99%" claim...

 

[jmcdona6]

Pods are a part of the natural ecosystem. They may or may not provide a natural food source and help clean your aquarium. Do they absolutely matter? Who knows.

Who knows because every tank that has been up for more than 3 months eventually has them. They are pretty much impossible to avoid acquiring once you start introducing frags into your system. You would have to take extraordinary care to avoid them.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Easy, it's called dry rock. Not to mention, it was me who seeded the tank with multiple species of pods from the inception of the tank.

Second, what do you mean pods are "invisible"? I visibly see pods all over the rock, the glass, etc. Not to mention one can visible see the pods within the container they shipped in.

Still waiting on some data on that "99%" claim...

You're right, I was exaggerating and perhaps out of line to say 99%

 

[Bear22]

You're right, I was exaggerating and perhaps out of line to say 99%

Why exaggerate or lend hyperbole with respect to an OP's question? Give the best most accurate answer you can muster within the limits of experience. There's enough tribal lore going around as is and it's a frustrating to people who want accurate relevant information.

 

[Mark Goode]

pods are so tiny they are invisible to our eyes

Speak for yourself.

Yes, they are tiny, but not invisible - I used to sit close to the tank and watch my royal gramma pick them off the glass in the mornings. No mistake, definitely copepods.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Why exaggerate or lend hyperbole with respect to an OP's question? Give the best most accurate answer you can muster within the limits of experience. There's enough tribal lore going around as is and it's a frustrating to people who want accurate relevant information.

I apologized so please keep your lectures to yourself. One could have easily interpreted my comment as "majority" and left it at that but I humored you so enough

 

[Bear22]

I apologized so please keep your lectures to yourself. One could have easily interpreted my comment as "majority" and left it at that but I humored you so enough

It's not about a "lecture" or an "apology". It's about giving accurate relevant information...

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

It's not about a "lecture" or an "apology". It's about giving accurate relevant information...

I feel it is relevant. My fish don't go for pods, I have 5 tanks and 18 fish, I don't see it, almost 20 years keeping salt tanks and I don't see it. I only keep nano fish but its hard for me to imagine medium or large size fish going for pods, do tangs eat pods? I keep seahorses, and even seahorses don't bother with pods, they are too small. So my comment my differ from yours but it doesn't mean its not relevant, IME majority of fish won't bother going for them, pods don't eat hair algae despite what the hype, and I cannot think of any benefit for the $30 price tag. Buy a coral and you will have hitchhiker pods for free.

I feel I am answering the OP's question, based on my experience. On contrary, all you've added to this discussion is to argue with me.

 

[56longroof]

This is MY observation. Figured I would point that out before its taken as misinformation and there's 3 pages of newbies trying to prove me wrong. I've added alot of pods and phyto to my tank. I have not noticed much benefit ftom either. I just treat it as coral food. I can get the same results from Benepets. I do think amphipods are a better choice to add to a tank. They are larger and I am convinced adding them has helped me keep expert level fish. As far being a important part of the clean up crew. You would have to put an astonishing amount in a tank to notice any benefit. They may eat diatoms and algea but you will have better results addressing the cause. Now the tangs, get rid of one. If you must have a pair start out with small ones and cross your fingers.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

It's not about a "lecture" or an "apology". It's about giving accurate relevant information...

any more comment? "100% of your fish graze on copepods from sun up to sun down" so which fish are these, please explain? If you have clowns in your tank that makes your statement false, has anyone ever seen a clownfish graze on copepods? I feel you owe me and the OP an apology!

 

[kingranch2003]

 

[Bear22]

any more comment? "100% of your fish graze on copepods from sun up to sun down" so which fish are these, please explain? If you have clowns in your tank that makes your statement false, has anyone ever seen a clownfish graze on copepods? I feel you owe me and the OP an apology!

LOL, you're getting a bit desperate with your diatribe(s).

All of my fish are gobies of some stripe.

Why don't you offer up an "explanation" as to pods being invisible, when they clearly are not?

Finally, would you like me to enlighten you with clown fish eating copepod threads here in R2R, as well as, other internet reefing forums? (this would be the third grenade that you've jumped on with respect to inaccurate polemics).

​

 

[56longroof]

LOL, you're getting a bit desperate with your diatribe(s).

All of my fish are gobies of some stripe.

Why don't you offer up an "explanation" as to pods being invisible, when they clearly are not?

Finally, would you like me to enlighten you with clown fish eating copepod threads here in R2R, as well as, other internet reefing forums? (this would be the third grenade that you've jumped on with respect to inaccurate polemics).

​

You really dont know when to quit. Your comments are doing nothing to help or answer the OPs questions. Save the drama for the Facebook groups.

 

[Bear22]

You really dont know when to quit. Your comments are doing nothing to help or answer the OPs questions. Save the drama for the Facebook groups.

Quit? Maybe you need to read the entire thread within context and figure out where the inaccuracies and corrections are. And what's "drama"? Those who promulgate inaccuracies based off of dogmatic viewpoints? Or those who pushback in order to correct the record?

My pushback in every way benefits the OP with respect to information on copepods because it dispels dogma with well known facts which are:

The principle copepods species that are purposely cultivated are viewable by the naked eye.

That a large majority of fish species we keep and raise graze on copepods.

Clown fish -like many fish in this hobby- in fact graze on copepods.

Political correctness which can be argued is just another form of "drama" might be your schtick.

I assure you it isn't mine...