ReefPods™ Acartia may be used as a starter culture to establish populations in marine aquarium refugiums or the main tank when PhycoPure™ CopePod Blend™ is added as directed. Once established they will reproduce quickly, growing from nauplii to adults in about 12 days. They will thrive in normal aquarium temperatures and a wide range of salinities. It is suggested they be added to the aquarium at night to avoid immediate fish predation.Aquarium Applications
Acartia tonsa is very useful in ornamental aquaculture for feeding larval fish and crustaceans, seahorses and invertebrates such as corals. It is recommended that a separate culture be maintained from which to collect nauplii for adding directly to aquariums or to tanks of larval fish or crustaceans. Acartia’s nutritional profile makes it ideal for feeding both photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic corals. It has wide ranging potential in developing techniques for breeding many ornamental species that cannot be raised with rotifers.
Culture Tips
Acartia is an opportunist planktivore. Consumption of colloidal particles, detritus, microalgae and zooplankton has been documented. Acartia is one of the easier calanoid copepods to culture, but it should be cultured in low densities to reduce canabilism of the nauplii by the adults. Highest egg production will occur when cultures are fed nutritious microalgae. When feeding Acartia live microalgae, such as Phycopure™ CopePod Blend™, only small amounts should be added at a time to ensure the food is consumed prior to the subsequent feeding. Amounts can be adjusted on subsequent feedings based on the apparent amount remaining in the culture. Clarity of the water is a useful indication of food consumption. Acartia can be cultured effectively in containers as small as one gallon and only require mild aeration. It is suggested that culture containers be cleaned periodically and water renewed to maintain proper water parameters. Acartia can be cultured at salinities ranging from 12-45ppt and temperatures from 18-30C, but optimal culture performance will occur at 18-28ppt and 23-27C.
Acclimation upon receipt
Acartia tolerates a wide range of temperatures and salinities but it is recommended that water-parameter acclimation at a rate of 6ppt salinity per day or 5C per day be performed if aquarium salinities or temperatures differ by 10ppt or 10C. It is important to feed Acartia during the acclimation period. Healthy Acartia can be added directly to the main aquarium or the fish or invertebrate culture tank if the intent is only to feed the Acartia as a one-time food.
