Copepods (pods) (Tisbe biminiensis) care guide

Group
Other invertebrates
Other names
Tisbe copepod, Harpacticoid copepod, Pods, Copepods
Family
Tisbidae
Origin
Tropical western Atlantic; cultured for the aquarium trade
Water
saltwater
Care level
beginner
Reef safe
yes

Care

Tisbe biminiensis is a tiny harpacticoid copepod, a crustacean around a millimetre long that crawls and hops over rock, glass and sand. Tisbe species are among the copepods most often cultured and sold as 'pods' for reef tanks. Our sources have little on this species; the figures are general guidance, not from a source. Role: helpful. Copepods graze film algae, bacteria and detritus and are a natural live food for mandarins, dragonets, seahorses, pipefish, many gobies and coral, as well as for fish larvae. Adding a culture to a new tank, or a refugium, builds a breeding population that feeds pod-eating fish. They are harmless to corals and fish. Caveats: a big population on the glass is a sign of plenty of food, not a problem. Mandarins and dragonets need a large, mature tank with a well-established pod population, and even then many still need supplementary feeding. Culturing: keep a culture in a bucket or jar of aged saltwater with gentle aeration, fed with live phytoplankton or a little dried food, and harvest by sieving. Copper: copper-based medicines and some plant fertilisers are toxic to shrimp, snails and most other invertebrates. Never dose them in a tank holding this animal, and read the label of any treatment, fertiliser or algae remover before use. Sources: none available for this species; general hobby knowledge. Checked October 2026.

Diet

Grazes microalgae (phytoplankton), bacteria and detritus. Cultures are fed live phytoplankton such as Tetraselmis or Isochrysis, or a pinch of fine dry food.

Breeding

Breeds fast and continuously; females carry egg sacs and young develop through small larval stages in the same water, so a culture or refugium can double in a couple of weeks when warm and well fed.

Compatibility and tank mates

Harmless and reef safe. Eaten by most small fish, corals and filter feeders, which is its main value.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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