How often should I feed my fish in a saltwater tank?

Most saltwater fish should be fed once or twice per day with only as much food as they can consume within 1–2 minutes. Overfeeding can lead to water quality issues, so moderation is key. For picky eaters, supplement with live food like amphipods and copepods.

Can fish food cause algae blooms?

Yes, overfeeding or using poor-quality fish food can increase nutrients like phosphate and nitrate, fueling algae growth. To reduce waste, feed high-quality flakes, live pods, or phyto blends and monitor nutrient levels regularly.

Do I need to turn off filters when feeding coral?

It's often helpful to turn off your return pump or wavemakers briefly when target feeding coral. This allows them to catch food more efficiently. After 10–15 minutes, resume normal flow. Use coral-safe foods like phyto or small live zooplankton for best results.

What fish benefit most from live food like pods?

Dragonets, seahorses, wrasses, anthias, and small reef fish often rely on live food like copepods and amphipods. These species may refuse flakes or pellets, making live food essential to their health and survival in captivity.

Can I mix live food with dry flakes?

Yes! Mixing high-quality flake food with live food creates a well-rounded diet. Live pods offer enrichment and help clean detritus, while flakes deliver consistent nutrients. This approach supports both fish and invertebrate health.

How many copepods and amphipods are in each portion?

Each portion contains a live biomass of Gammarus species. For example, our Medium size includes approximately 600–900 pods in 5ml, while the XXL size provides 10,000+ pods in 50ml. Quantities may vary based on density and reproduction.

What do live copepods and amphipods eat?

They feed on detritus, microalgae, and phytoplankton. For optimal results, supplement with our Live Phytoplankton Blend to maintain a healthy pod population.

How do I dose live phytoplankton in my aquarium?

A general guideline is 5ml of live phytoplankton per 10 gallons of aquarium volume, dosed daily. Shake well before use and store in the refrigerator between feedings.

Are copepods and amphipods safe for reef aquariums and marine fish?

Yes. Live copepods and amphipods are reef-safe and commonly used to support picky marine fish like mandarins, seahorses, and wrasses. They also help clean up detritus and improve biodiversity.

Do I need to acclimate copepods before adding them to my tank?

No drip acclimation is required. Float the sealed bag to match your tank’s temperature, strain through a mesh, and then add the pods directly to your tank or refugium.

How often should I feed live food like pods?

Live food like copepods and amphipods can be offered daily or several times a week depending on your tank’s needs. They're especially beneficial as a regular supplement for picky eaters like mandarins, seahorses, and anthias.

Why is live food better than frozen or dry food?

Live food is more natural, helps reduce uneaten waste, and promotes natural hunting behavior in fish. It also boosts biodiversity by adding beneficial microfauna to your tank's ecosystem.

Can I combine flake food, phyto, and pods?

Yes! Flake food supports daily nutrition, live phytoplankton feeds filter feeders and pods, and amphipods provide clean protein. Together, they mimic natural reef feeding dynamics and support coral, fish, and microcrustaceans.

Are copepods good for seahorses and mandarins?

Absolutely. Seahorses and mandarins often reject frozen food, but they readily hunt live pods. Amphipods and copepods provide a natural, highly nutritious live food source for these delicate species.

How do pods support my reef tank's biodiversity?

Pods help clean detritus, feed picky fish, and populate refugiums. Their presence supports natural nutrient cycles and mimics wild reef environments, making them a cornerstone of a thriving marine system.

My pods aren't moving—are they dead?

Not necessarily. Copepods and amphipods often go dormant during shipping. Float the sealed bag for 15 minutes, pour contents into a white bowl under light, and watch for twitching or movement. Aeration helps revive them quickly.

How should I store live phytoplankton?

Refrigerate phytoplankton immediately upon arrival. Shake daily to keep it oxygenated and prevent clumping. Use within 2–3 weeks for maximum potency.

Do I need to acclimate pods or phyto before adding?

For pods, float the sealed bag to temperature, strain through a fine mesh, and pour into the tank. For phyto, no acclimation is needed—just dose as directed after shaking.

How can I avoid cloudy water when feeding live food?

Start with smaller portions, and dose consistently instead of all at once. Live food is less likely to cause water quality issues than frozen or powdered food, especially when used with filtration or refugiums.

Can I culture pods or phyto at home?

Yes! You can grow copepods in a small tank or jar using clean saltwater, gentle aeration, and live phytoplankton. Feed regularly and harvest adults every few days. Phytoplankton can be cultured with light, nutrients, and daily shaking.

AquariumDepot.com carries the Biggest Amphipods and Copepods for sale .

testimonials from happy clients

Oteasa Simon

I have ordered many times and always received corals that exceeded my expectations! Fast shipping and excellent customer service!
Ken B

I've bought several things from aquariumdepot.com Everything has arrived alive and in a timely manner. I'm very satisfied.
Jorin R

I have ordered many corals from Zoas, Mushrooms, Torches, Birdsnest, Acropora, Tree Sponge, Gorgonian, and more, and, have always been pleased with what AquariumDepot.com delivers and their customer service is great as well.
Rick S

I love to get my macroalgae and inverts from Aquarium Depot. Also a great place for frags. I have been using them for a year now. I have successfully grown and transplanted my frags from them.
Shauna M

Almost everything I've gotten from you guys comes bigger than expected and much more affordable than other places I've shopped online and in person. Your sales have helped me dip my toes in even on a fixed income, keep up the good work!
Jon B

AquariumDepot.com has excellent critters and corals to turn your aquarium into a beautiful reef or fowlr system that you will love and enjoy. My personal favorite is their copepods
Chris S

Many corals I got from Aquarium Depot are growing so well in the tank like the photos. Some of them are getting too big so I’ve started to frag them and give them away.
Daniel D

It was an awesome experience both times I've ordered I definitely would recommend you guys to anyone. Great service and everything was amazing.
Victoria Y

This is my 3rd time ordering Amphipods/Copepods from Aquarium Depot. They always arrive alive & healthy plus there's ALOT! I definitely recommend getting your pods from here!
Jason B

I absolutely love doing business with Aquarium Depot! Every shipment arrives on time and well packaged, most importantly everything is alive!

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FAQ

Last updated: August 7, 2025

Who is AquariumDepot.com?

AquariumDepot.com is your trusted online source for reef-safe live fish food. We specialize in aquacultured amphipods, copepods, phytoplankton, and reef nutrition products. All live foods are sustainably sourced from our partner farm, World View Farms, and carefully packaged to arrive healthy and effective.

What is your background and why do you love saltwater so much?

AquariumDepot is run by Christina Duncan, a Marine Science student at the University of Florida with over 20 years of experience in aquaculture. From operating Florida’s largest coral propagation facility to launching Hexacorralia.com, a global coral documentation project, our mission has always been rooted in education, biodiversity, and ocean health.

When were you founded?

AquariumDepot.com launched in 2014, but our history in saltwater aquaculture began in 2003. Over two decades later, we continue to support reef keepers, educators, and public aquariums with research-backed nutrition and ethical sourcing.

Where can I find reviews or testimonials about your products?

Visit our Testimonials Page to view verified customer photos, unboxing videos, and feedback. We’re also active on:

Where can I learn more about reef nutrition and conservation?

We created Reef Cause to promote education, sustainable aquaculture, and marine conservation. Whether you're a beginner or an educator, our mission is to make science-based reefkeeping accessible to all.

What’s your most popular product?

Our bestsellers are our live Pod Packs, available in six sizes (XS to XXL), offering 150 to over 10,000 amphipods and copepods per pack. Ideal for mandarins, anthias, seahorses, and biodiversity boosts, each pack is aquacultured, tested, and shipped live.

What is your return policy?

All food products are backed by our 14-Day Quality Guarantee. If anything arrives unusable, just contact us with a photo and your packing slip and we’ll issue store credit. Our claims process is quick, transparent, and customer-first.

What are your shipping policies?

We ship using NDA (Next Day Air) methods for all live food. Most orders ship within 2–5 business days, but prep time may extend up to 2 weeks during weather delays, holidays, or heatwaves. Transit time is not the same as shipping time—we prioritize the safest possible arrival window.

Free Shipping is available on orders over $149. For smaller orders, we charge a flat live shipping rate of $29.99.

featured products

Live Phytoplankton Blend – 32oz | Tetraselmis & Nannochloropsis – Reef & Fish Food – World View Farms

Montipora by Christina® – Ocean Reef Shower Curtain featuring 25 HD Images of Montipora Variants

Hexacorralia by Christina – 650+ Coral Identification Images | Visual Coral Taxonomy Guide for Reef Enthusiasts & Marine Scientists Large Installment

Live Fish Food – Amphipods & Copepods (10,000+) – XXL Portion | 50ml Gammarus sp – Reef Nutrition – World View Farms

Live Fish Food – Amphipods & Copepods (4,500–5,500+) – XL Portion | 25ml Gammarus sp – Reef Nutrition – World View Farms

Live Fish Food – Amphipods & Copepods (1,600–2,200) – LG Portion | 10ml Gammarus sp – Reef Nutrition – World View Farms

Zoanthid Reference Quick Guide Set of Zoanthids by Christina, Pocket Size Reference Guide of 270 Unique Zoanthids and Palythoa - 8x11 - Reference

Saltwater Coral Prints For Living Room, Beach Wall Decor - 10 Macro Images of Zoanthids, Zoanthids by Christina, Animal Print Series Wall Pictures, Ocean Wall Decor, (10) Ten Prints ea 8” x 10” - Ships FREE

Zoanthid Reference Quick Guide Set of Zoanthids by Christina, Pocket Size Reference Guide of 270 Unique Zoanthids and Palythoa - 4x6 - Pocket Reference

Green Sea Salad – 10g | Dried Marine Algae for Fish Food – World View Farms

testimonials from happy clients

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