Acartia tonsa Live Copepods

Product Overview

Acartia tonsa are large, planktonic calanoid copepods that provide premium live nutrition for reef aquariums and fish breeding systems. These actively swimming copepods remain suspended in the water column, making them highly available to planktivorous fish while being less susceptible to predation refuges. Our cultures ship with live phytoplankton to ensure they arrive actively feeding and ready to enrich your tank ecosystem.

Key Benefits for Reef Aquaria

• Premium Planktonic Food: True pelagic copepods that mimic natural reef zooplankton behavior
• Large Size for Fish: Adults reach 1-1.5mm, ideal for anthias, wrasses, and larger planktivores
• Breeding System Essential: Critical live food for larval fish culture and fry development
• Water Column Distribution: Calanoid swimming keeps them continuously available to fish
• Nutritional Excellence: Superior fatty acid profile compared to harpacticoid species
• Natural Feeding Trigger: Swimming motion stimulates feeding response in reluctant eaters

Species Highlights

Acartia tonsa represents a premium calanoid copepod species prized by professional aquarists and fish breeders worldwide. Unlike benthic harpacticoids or intermediate cyclopoids, these true planktonic copepods spend their entire life cycle swimming in open water. They tolerate temperatures from 68-78°F and adapt to varying salinity levels. Their graceful, hovering swimming motion differs dramatically from the jerky movements of cyclopoids, making them highly attractive to fish. Acartia tonsa are particularly valuable for breeding programs, seahorse systems, and aquariums focused on maintaining natural planktivorous fish behavior.

Nutritional Profile

• Maximum Protein Content: 55-65% crude protein by dry weight
• Superior Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Highest EPA and DHA ratios among copepod species
• Essential Fatty Acid Profile: Critical long-chain PUFAs for fish reproduction and larval survival
• Complete Amino Acids: Optimal ratios for growth, coloration, and immune function
• Rich in Astaxanthin: Natural carotenoids enhance fish color and vitality
• Digestible Energy: Highly bioavailable nutrients for efficient utilization

How to Add to Your Tank

Acclimation: Float the sealed container in your tank for 15-20 minutes to temperature acclimate. Slowly add small amounts of tank water over 10-15 minutes.

Introduction: Pour copepods directly into your display tank or sump with moderate flow. Their planktonic nature means they'll distribute throughout the system immediately.

Timing: Add to established tanks (3+ months old) with stable parameters. Best added when fish are actively feeding to observe immediate consumption.

Population Boost: For breeding systems or planktivore-heavy tanks, start with 2-3 bottles per 75 gallons. Weekly or bi-weekly additions recommended as these copepods are less likely to establish self-sustaining populations than benthic species.

Storage and Care

Upon Arrival: Unpack immediately and inspect for active copepods. You should observe characteristic smooth, hovering swimming motion.

Short-Term Storage (up to 48 hours): Keep at room temperature (68-75°F) away from direct sunlight. Gentle aeration recommended for optimal health.

Adding to Tank: Best added same day as arrival for maximum viability and feeding value. Can be held up to 3 days with cool temperatures and gentle aeration.

Feeding: Our copepods ship with live phytoplankton food supply—no feeding needed before adding to your tank.

Live Arrival Guarantee

All PodDrop copepods are guaranteed to arrive alive and actively moving. Our cultures ship with live phytoplankton to maintain health during transit. If copepods arrive deceased or your order has issues, contact us within 2 hours of delivery with photos for replacement or refund. We ship using proven methods to ensure viable populations reach your reef aquarium.

Shipping & Return Policy

Shipping: Monday-Wednesday via UPS 2nd Day Air for fast, reliable delivery. Arizona aquaculture license #91 ensures legal, biosecure cultures. Includes insulation and temperature protection.

Weather Delays: We monitor conditions and may hold orders for extreme temperatures to ensure live arrival.

Returns: Live copepods cannot be returned once shipped due to their perishable nature. Contact us before shipping for order modifications.

Tracking: Confirmation email sent when your order ships with UPS tracking number.

Live Animal Handling Compliance

PodDrop operates as a licensed Arizona aquaculture facility (AQ License #91) following strict biosecurity and handling protocols. Our Acartia tonsa cultures are:

• Raised in isolated, quarantine-controlled systems
• Free from parasites, diseases, and pest organisms
• Packaged in food-grade, sealed containers for biosecurity
• Shipped in compliance with USDA and state aquaculture regulations
• 100% aquacultured for sustainability and biosecurity

Proper Handling: Wash hands before and after handling. Never release copepods into natural waterways. Dispose of packaging responsibly.