ReefPods™ Parvocalanus is a live culture of the calanoid copepod Parvocalanus crassirostris.Parvocalanus adult copepods live in the water column and eat microalgae. They produce a small nauplii which is an excellent food for hard to feed aquarium filter feeders and fish larvae. The adults are eaten by very small plankton eating fish.ReefPods™ Parvocalanus 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. Although not as easily established as Tisbe, once established they will reproduce quickly, growing from nauplii to reproductive adults in about 8 days. They are tropical and will thrive in normal aquarium temperatures and typical marine salinities. It is suggested they be added to the aquarium at night or to the refugium to avoid immediate fish predation.
ReefPods™ Parvocalanusmay be cultured separately in a small tank by feeding PhycoPure™ CopePod Blend™. The nauplii are as small as 40 micrometers wide, making them suitable for extremely small fish larvae and “small-mouthed” sessile invertebrate. Adults may be harvested for feeding juvenile seahorses and other small fish.
Reef Pods™ are the only truly tropical live copepod cultures available on the market today. It opens an exciting new area of feeding possibilities for the experimental marine aquarist. Look for many new species of copepod cultures to be available from the culture professionals at AlgaGen.
Aquarium Applications
Parvocalanus is recognized by top aquaculturists and aquarium breeders as one of the best live foods for the smallest and most difficult of the marine fish larvae due to the small size of the nauplii. This small pelagic copepod is rich in essential fatty acids and provides good nutrition for developing larval fish. In aquariums the small size is optimum for capture by the finest filter feeders such as feather duster and Christmas tree worms, SPS corals and sponge.
Culture tips
Parvocalanus populations can expand rapidly when optimum culture conditions are maintained. Ideal foods are live microalgae such as Phycopure™ CopePod Blend™. When feeding Parvocalanus live microalgae, such as Phycopure™ CopePod Blend™, only small amounts should be added once daily to ensure that the food is consumed prior to the subsequent feeding. Amounts can be adjusted daily based on the apparent amount remaining in the culture. Clarity of the water is a useful indication of food consumption. Culture containers as small as one gallon are suitable for culturing Parvocalanus. Good culture hygiene is essential to maintain a thriving population of Parvocalanus. It is suggested that culture containers be cleaned and water renewed once weekly to maintain proper water parameters. Ideal conditions are 25-27C, 28-30ppt and light to medium aeration.
Acclimation upon receipt
Parvocalanus should be acclimated at a rate of 3ppt salinity per day or 5C per day if aquarium salinities or temperatures differ by 6ppt or 6C. It is important to feed Parvocalanus during the acclimation period. Healthy Parvocalanus can be added directly to the main aquarium or the fish or invertebrate culture tank if the intent is only to feed the Parvocalanus as a one-time food.
