A Dynamic Duo for Your Reef Aquarium

The 2 Pod Blend is the perfect choice for seeding your aquarium or replenishing your copepod population. This blend includes Tisbe biminensis and Apocyclops copepods, two complementary species that contribute to a healthy and thriving reef ecosystem. Whether you’re looking for a natural cleanup crew or a nutrient-rich live feed for your fish, this blend has you covered.

Culturing these pods together is simple and rewarding. However, over time, Apocyclops may dominate the culture due to their faster reproduction rate. To maintain a balanced population, we recommend regular feeding of live phytoplankton 3-5 times per week.

What’s Inside the 2 Pod Blend?

• Tisbe biminensis:
  Small, bottom-dwelling copepods that are excellent as a cleanup crew. They consume detritus and hide in rocks, making them hard for small to medium fish to eat. Tisbe copepods are highly nutritious when fed live phytoplankton and can be harvested in 2-3 weeks when culturing.
• Apocyclops copepods:
  Medium-sized copepods that are slightly larger than Tisbe. They exhibit a jerking motion in the water column, enticing smaller fish to feed. Apocyclops reproduce rapidly, with females laying eggs every 4-6 days, allowing for weekly harvesting.

Key Benefits

• Nutritional Powerhouse: Both species are rich in nutrients, ideal for fish like mandarins and other smaller species.
• Natural Algae Control: Tisbe copepods help reduce nuisance algae while acting as a cleanup crew.
• Easy Culturing: Apocyclops reproduce quickly, ensuring a sustainable live feed supply.
• Balanced Ecosystem: A mix of bottom-dwelling and free-swimming copepods supports a healthy aquarium environment.

Culturing Tips

When culturing these pods together in a 1-gallon vessel or larger, Apocyclops will eventually dominate due to their faster reproduction rate. Ensure consistent feeding of live phytoplankton to maintain a thriving culture.