Acartia tonsa. The Superfood for Challenging Larval Rearing.

Copepods, also known as oar-footed crustaceans, are an essential part of the aquatic food chain and are particularly suitable for rearing demanding fish species such as Gramma loreto, seahorses, tuna, grouper, and yellowtail kingfish. Many marine fish larvae naturally rely on copepods as their first food source. The unique nutrient composition of Acartia tonsa – including a high content of polar omega-3 fatty acids, valuable vitamins, and natural carotenoids like astaxanthin – makes them the ideal choice for professional breeding of fish and shrimp larvae.

Compared to conventional live feeds like Brachionus (rotifers), Artemia nauplii, and daphnia, copepods offer significant advantages: They support higher survival rates and healthy growth of larvae without causing growth deformities. Thanks to the optimal ratio of DHA, EPA, and ARA unsaturated fatty acids, copepods require no additional enrichment and provide immediate, high-quality nutrition for larvae and corals.

Copepod Eggs. The New Way to Breed Copepods.

At algova, we love simple and good solutions – and we're proud of it! We now offer copepods of the species Acartia tonsa as eggs for the first time. With these, you can breed fresh, small, and highly nutritious nauplii exactly when your larval rearing needs them.

During hatching, nauplii with a size of 70-110µm are produced, which can serve as a replacement or supplement to rotifers. With the algae Isochrysis (live culture, not powder), the nauplii can be further fed and raised into larger copepods – a perfect alternative and supplement to Artemia nauplii.

Breeding Copepods. Now with algova Hatch Guarantee.

Copepod eggs are extremely sensitive, which is why the hatch rate decreases over time during storage. However, thanks to our innovative process, we have extended the shelf life of the eggs to 8 months. Additionally, we provide a fresh batch every three months. With every order, you receive a detailed, illustrated step-by-step guide to achieve the best possible hatching results.

Your copepod eggs are delivered directly to your home via cooled express shipping. Shipping takes place across Europe from Monday to Wednesday. Please remove the goods from the package immediately upon delivery and store them in the refrigerator at 2–5 °C.

If the hatching does not succeed as expected, we offer you a replacement or a refund of the purchase price.

Features

• Premium Quality Live Feed: Ideal for professional breeding of fish and shrimp larvae as well as for demanding ornamental fish and corals.
  
• Supplement to Artemia and Brachionus: Offers higher survival rates and optimal growth.
  
• 50,000 eggs are sufficient for 1L setup
• When stored in the refrigerator (at 1-4 °C), they are durable for at least 9 months. The hatch rate decreases by about 3% per week. 
• Hatch rate 90-100% depending on the user and age of the eggs. 1 ml is sufficient for 1L setup 

Larvae of freshwater and saltwater fish, ornamental fish (surgeonfish, discus, clownfish...)
Larvae of crabs and shrimps, ornamental shrimps
Mussels
Corals and anemones

Slip instructions DE/ENG

Copepod eggs of the species Acartia tonsa in buffered seawater solution.

Scope of delivery

Copepod eggs in 25ml (1 million eggs) and 250ml (10 million eggs) bottles, additionally sealed in a flavour protection bag. Incl. illustrated and detailed hatching instructions.

Versand
We ship chilled from Mon-May throughout Europe with UPS Express in refrigerated packaging. Refrigerate immediately upon receipt!