Apocyclops panamensis Reef Copepods

Apocyclops panamensis Copepods — "Apo Pods"

The Apocyclops panamensis, known to reef hobbyists as "Apo Pods", is one of the most versatile copepods you can add to a saltwater aquarium. Apo Pods combine the best traits of Tisbe biminiensis (benthic hiding) and Tigriopus californicus (free-swimming), giving your reef tank a diverse feeding solution that supports both fish and corals.

Dual Feeding Behavior

• Like Tisbe Pods: Hide in rockwork and substrate, perfect for active hunting fish like mandarins and scooter blennies
• Like Big Red Copepods: Swim into the water column, making them accessible to a wider variety of fish and corals

Package Details

• Reproduction Rate: Fast
• Size: 8 oz
• Order: Cyclopoida
• Genus: Apocyclops
• Life Stages Included: Nauplii to adults
• Cultured: 100% aquacultured in sterile conditions

Nutritional Advantages

• Rich in highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) and beneficial n-3 fatty acids
• Consume uneaten food and algae, recycling nutrients into a natural food source
• Contribute to healthy fish coloration, immune function, and growth

Reef Tank Benefits

• High fertility and short gestation period for rapid population growth
• Resilient to parameter swings
• Consume detritus and help maintain water quality

Perfect For

• Mandarins, scooter blennies, and other active hunters
• Corals that capture plankton from the water column
• Seeding refugiums or new reef tanks
• Increasing biodiversity for long-term reef stability

Apo Pods are medium-sized copepods — easier to spot than smaller Tisbe Pods but not as large as Big Red Tig Copepods. By thriving both in rock crevices and free-swimming in open water, they offer unmatched feeding opportunities for a wide range of tank inhabitants.