The Role of Copepods and Microfauna in a Healthy Reef Tank

Beyond the fish and coral you can easily see, a healthy reef tank hosts a thriving population of tiny organisms that play an important supporting role in the system’s food web.

What Are Copepods?

Copepods are tiny crustaceans that graze on detritus and algae while serving as a natural food source for many small fish and coral, particularly beneficial for picky eaters discussed in our picky eater feeding guide.

Where They Thrive

A refugium, discussed in our refugium guide, provides a protected space for copepod populations to reproduce away from predation, helping sustain a steady supply to the main display.

Supporting a Healthy Population

Avoid overly aggressive mechanical filtration that strips copepods from the water column, and consider periodic copepod supplementation if your population seems to be declining.

A Sign of Tank Health

A visible, thriving population of pods and other microfauna is often considered a positive sign of a mature, biologically balanced reef system.