Tiggerpod question

[Tomoko Schum]

Hi,

Rotifers invaded my tiggerpod culture, and the tiggerpod are multiplying rather slowly ever since. Although I have increased the food density in case they are competing for food, tiggerpods are not multiplying as fast as before. They are fed with nanochloropsis, tetraselmis and isochrysis everyday. I got some conflicting information about the food for tiggerpods/herpacticoid copepods. I would like to see them multiply as fast as they did before. Should I change their food or should I start a clean culture?

Tomoko

 

[billsreef]

Usually it's the rotifers that have a problem when pods invade their culture. Generally pods can eat rotifers. In any event, since your culture is slowing down I would suggest restarting the culture.

 

[Tomoko Schum]

Humm, I heard about the cannibalism of tiggerpods (or parents feeding on young) in a small tidal pool.

I was told to feed brown algae such as Isocrysis. When my tiggerpods were multiplying fast, they were fed nanochloropsis exclusively instead. I added Isochrysis and Tetraselmis since Reed Mariculture said that they digest soft shelled brown algae much better. What do tiggerpods or herpacticoid copepods really eat?

I have not been able to explain the cause of their slow reproduction rate unless they are reacting to a declining water quality due to the population explosion of rotifers. I wonder if such water degradation can happen in a day or two.

I have always seen some herpacticoid copepods living in my rotifer culture jars. They don't seem to affect the rate rotifers multiply, though....

Tomoko

 

[GreshamH]

They also prefer decaying macroalgae. They will not eat rotifers Bill but possiably can eat their young. I have not yet seen it with my own eyes but I have seen evidance of a declining copepidite population.

If you'd like to talk more about this Tomoko, PM or email me. I don't have the time right now to post real detailed replies

FWIW, I have several co-cultures running with Tigriopus califoricus, some with L rotifers, some with SS rotifers and others with artemia. The artemia co-culture is one of my fastest growing and reprepductive cultures (at my house, not at the farm)

 

[Tomoko Schum]

Thank you, Gresham.

It's interesting that you mentioned that artemia co-culture is one of your fastest growing and reproductive culture because I have added some Tigiopus californicus to my very passive artemia grow out tank and Tigriopus has been growing there faster than other co-culture containers (both accidental and intentional ones.)

Tomoko