Copepod and phytoplankton starter packs include live copepod cultures (single species or multi-species blends) paired with complementary phytoplankton strains for feeding and nutrition. Our Ultimate Reef Starter Pack contains Ultimate Blend with 5 copepod species (Tisbe biminiensis, Tigriopus californicus, Apocyclops panamensis, Parvocalanus crassirostris, Acartia tonsa) plus Isochrysis galbana, Nannochloropsis oculata, and Rhodomonas salina phytoplankton - everything needed for establishing copepod populations in 50-100 gallon reef aquariums. Mandarin Care Bundle includes Reef Rain copepod blend with Isochrysis phytoplankton specifically for mandarin dragonfish nutrition and feeding. All reef bundles ship with detailed feeding schedules, acclimation instructions, and refrigerated storage guidelines for maximum copepod and phytoplankton viability.

For mandarin dragonfish feeding, our Mandarin Care Bundle is specifically formulated with benthic copepod species that mandarins hunt naturally. This bundle includes Reef Rain Blend (Tisbe biminiensis + Tigriopus californicus copepods) or Power Blend (adds Apocyclops panamensis) paired with Isochrysis galbana phytoplankton for feeding copepods. Mandarin dragonfish require high copepod densities - the Mandarin Care Bundle provides enough live copepods for 30-75 gallon reef tanks with one mandarin. Tisbe copepods colonize rockwork and sandbed where mandarins hunt continuously. Include a refugium with live rock and macroalgae, feed phytoplankton 2-3 times weekly, and copepod populations will establish to support healthy mandarin dragonfish long-term in reef aquariums.

Live copepod and phytoplankton bundles save 15-20% compared to purchasing reef aquarium products individually. For example, buying Ultimate Blend copepods ($26.99) plus Isochrysis phytoplankton ($24.99), Nannochloropsis phytoplankton ($24.99), and Rhodomonas phytoplankton ($24.99) separately totals $101.96, while Ultimate Reef Starter Pack bundles all products for $79.99 - saving $21.97. Mandarin Care Bundle saves $12-15 on copepod and phytoplankton combinations for mandarin dragonfish. Beyond immediate savings, professionally curated reef bundles prevent costly mistakes from incompatible copepod species pairings or wrong phytoplankton strains that lead to population crashes. Bundles also consolidate shipping costs - one insulated shipment with ice packs instead of multiple orders saves $15-25 in additional shipping fees for live reef products.

For new reef tanks, choose copepod and phytoplankton starter packs based on aquarium volume and livestock plans. Nano Reef Starter Pack suits 10-30 gallon reef tanks with Nano Blend copepods (Tisbe biminiensis + Apocyclops panamensis) and 2 phytoplankton strains (Isochrysis + Nannochloropsis) for establishing populations in small reef aquariums. Reef tanks 50-100 gallons benefit from Ultimate Reef Starter Pack with 5 copepod species and 3 phytoplankton strains for maximum reef biodiversity and coral nutrition. For SPS and LPS coral dominated reef tanks, Coral Nutrition Bundle provides planktonic copepods (Apocyclops, Acartia, Parvocalanus) for coral feeding. Add live copepod and phytoplankton starter packs during reef tank cycling or immediately after introducing first fish for best copepod population establishment and refugium colonization.

Copepod starter pack longevity in reef tanks depends on aquarium size, fish population, refugium setup, and feeding schedule. Initial live copepod stocking from reef bundles establishes breeding populations that become self-sustaining with proper phytoplankton feeding and refugium maintenance. Phytoplankton cultures included in starter packs last 2-4 weeks when refrigerated at 35-45°F and dosed to reef tanks 2-3 times weekly for feeding copepods. For 50-gallon reef aquariums, Ultimate Starter Pack provides 4-6 weeks of phytoplankton nutrition for copepod maintenance and coral feeding. Once copepod populations establish in refugiums (4-6 weeks), reorder phytoplankton separately or subscribe to Monthly Maintenance Bundle for continuous reef nutrition. Reef tanks with heavy copepod predation from mandarin dragonfish, wrasses, or anthias may need copepod supplementation every 2-3 months even with established populations.

Live copepod and phytoplankton bundles for reef tanks ship Monday through Wednesday only from our licensed Arizona aquaculture facility (AQ#91) to ensure weekend-free transit and maximum culture viability. All reef bundle orders include insulated shipping boxes with multiple ice packs to maintain cold temperatures for both live copepods and phytoplankton during 2-day shipping to reef aquariums nationwide. Orders $55+ receive free insulated 2-day shipping - most copepod and phytoplankton bundles qualify automatically. We harvest copepods and phytoplankton cultures fresh the morning of shipment at peak density and pack reef products together in actively feeding condition with live phytoplankton. Bundles arrive as one complete package with all cultures viable and ready for reef tank acclimation. Our live arrival guarantee covers entire bundle contents including all copepod species and phytoplankton strains - contact us within 2 hours of delivery with photos for immediate replacement or full refund.