Need help identifying this Copepod?

[DaJusticeKing]

Here is a video of what I am pretty sure is a pregnant copepod. Im unsure of its species, but based on its size it might be a Tigriopus. It looks to be about 1-2mm and I can easily see its body with my naked eye.

Other than size, is there any other way to identify copepod species?

Also, side question: I have found two copepods on my glass so far; both are carrying eggs. They hitchhiked on snails I added to my tank about a month ago. If these two are both carrying eggs, could that mean they will be able to establish in my tank without any extra help?

Thanks in advance.

 

[smitten with ocean life]

@Reef By Steele

 

[Reef By Steele]

Sorry traveling and can’t view video on my phone. Copepods reproduce at high numbers when conditions are right. As for establishing without any intervention there are many variables. Tank inhabitants are a big one. If you have fish that prey constantly on copepods like mandarins, scooter blennies and sand sifting gobies to name a few, normal reproduction may not be sufficient to achieve a thriving population. Shelter, if you have a refugium or other locations that the pods can reproduce away from predation you increase your chances, and they will work their way throughout the system. Food source, while copepods eat nuisance algae and detritus, I like to compare that to McDonalds and live phytoplankton to. Whole Foods buffet (healthier and more nutritious). Also species, if in fact the pod in question is a Tigriopus, they are less likely to establish as they come from the cooler coastal waters of California, not to say the won’t, but everything I red says they are much less likely. I will try to take a look when I can access my computer. Driving home from RAP the next couple of days.

 

[DaJusticeKing]

Sorry traveling and can’t view video on my phone. Copepods reproduce at high numbers when conditions are right. As for establishing without any intervention there are many variables. Tank inhabitants are a big one. If you have fish that prey constantly on copepods like mandarins, scooter blennies and sand sifting gobies to name a few, normal reproduction may not be sufficient to achieve a thriving population. Shelter, if you have a refugium or other locations that the pods can reproduce away from predation you increase your chances, and they will work their way throughout the system. Food source, while copepods eat nuisance algae and detritus, I like to compare that to McDonalds and live phytoplankton to. Whole Foods buffet (healthier and more nutritious). Also species, if in fact the pod in question is a Tigriopus, they are less likely to establish as they come from the cooler coastal waters of California, not to say the won’t, but everything I red says they are much less likely. I will try to take a look when I can access my computer. Driving home from RAP the next couple of days.

Tigriopus usually swim in the water column, right? Do they then stay on surfaces when carrying eggs? Or do Tigriopus still mainly swim in the water column when holding eggs?

 

[elonmusk123]

There are probably more copepod species and genera than grains of sand in your tank, here are the described ones — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=1080. The select few strains that are cultured and commonly sold in the hobby are just a random selection that somebody bothered to isolate and purify. Its very likely the dominant species in many tanks seeded with wild rock are not the ones commonly sold