Copepods vs. Amphipods

JCox · 11-01-2005, 09:23 PM

So which is 'better' for your tank/fuge, copepods or amphipods? What is the difference between the 2 beneficially? Which is better to have? Do fish prefer one over the other, or does it really make a difference at all?

Loverotties · 11-02-2005, 12:34 AM

I think it's a tie!

Geoff · 11-02-2005, 03:36 AM

does not matter. why do you ask?

G~

JCox · 11-02-2005, 04:54 AM

The reason I'm curious is because I'm adding an AquaFuge PS to my 20 gal and I want to 'jump start' the pod population. I've seen a product called Ocean Pods, which is live aquacultered copepods in a bottle. It claims to have about 1000 pods in each bottle. So I'm thinking of giving these a try and stocking the fuge with them.
BTW, Geoff, that's a great pic you have for your avatar, very cute.

Geoff · 11-02-2005, 05:00 AM

i guess i do not know why you would want more pods. it is just something else to feed. i am pretty sure if you buy those pods in a jar they will all starve pretty quickly unless you overfeed your tank. all tanks have pods. the cleaner the tank the less pods you will have.

G~

JCox · 11-02-2005, 05:27 AM

Well, I want more just for one reason, fish food. About a month ago I started to see a big spike in the amount of pods in my tank. Looks like my wrasse and goby also noticed this, cuz they seemed to make short work of these pretty quickly. The wrasse is constantly on the lookout for them on the rocks and the goby is taking care of the ones in the sand. Since about 2 wks ago, I rarely see any anymore, a few here and there. I figure in stocking the fuge with them, I can keep the fish happy with fresh food and at the same time pretty much cut out feeding prepared foods, which can only help with the overall water params....

Geoff · 11-02-2005, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCox

Well, I want more just for one reason, fish food. About a month ago I started to see a big spike in the amount of pods in my tank. Looks like my wrasse and goby also noticed this, cuz they seemed to make short work of these pretty quickly. The wrasse is constantly on the lookout for them on the rocks and the goby is taking care of the ones in the sand. Since about 2 wks ago, I rarely see any anymore, a few here and there. I figure in stocking the fuge with them, I can keep the fish happy with fresh food and at the same time pretty much cut out feeding prepared foods, which can only help with the overall water params....

i think this is false thinking. you will need to feed the tank just as much in order to keep the pods happy. if this is what you want to do than make a system just for keeping pods. that way the high DOC water will be seperated from your display. all of those pods release wastes that will need to be removed.

G~