AlgaGen is releasing four new species of copepods in a new product line that includes four calonoid copepods and one Cladoceran product in the company’s ReefPods line. These new copepod lines are aquacultured at AlgaGen’s facility and tells us these newly available pods are tropical, herbivorous species with the potential to establish in marine reefs. AlgaGen is also releasing a live microalgae food, PhycoPure Copepod Blend, specifically geared towards feeding copepod cultures.

Marketed under the ReefPods brand that currently includes the Tisbe species, these new species of pods include Acartia tonsa, Pseudodiaptomus, Parvocalanus and an unidentified species AlgaGen is labeling Tangerine Pods. The Cladoceran is Moina salina the highly desired saltwater Daphnia species.

The addition of these new species adds another method of feeding your tank and adding a biodiversity to the natural feeding but the true benefits will be felt in the marine fish breeding side of the hobby. Since larval feeding hurdles are typically what prevents the success of captive raised species, these new copepod cultures provide an array of highly-desirable foods for larval fish.

These new ReefPods will be available online through vendors like Marine Depot and Drs Foster and Smith. Since these Reef Pods are live products with a shorter shelf life, all orders will be drop shipped direct from AlgaGen to the hobbyist. The price is very reasonable and expect an 8 oz. bottle (about 200-250 copepods) to run around $20 with the Tisbe species selling for $14 on the low side and Parvocalanus for $24 on the high side. The PhycoPure should be around $15 for an 8oz bottle and about $22 for the 16 oz.