{"product_id":"bulldawg-copepod-mix-live-marine-pods","title":"Bulldawg Copepod Mix | Live Marine Pods for Mandarins \u0026 Reefs","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eBulldawg Copepod Mix is a live, multi-species marine \u003cstrong\u003ecopepod culture\u003c\/strong\u003e ready to seed your refugium or pour straight into the display. Copepods are the foundation of a healthy reef food web — they clean detritus, control diatoms and film algae, and they're the only food many mandarins, dragonets, and scooter blennies will hunt and eat. A diverse pod culture (vs. single-species) gives you small, medium, and larger pods so corals, larval fish, and pod-eaters all benefit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLocal Georgia brand.\u003c\/strong\u003e Bulldawg is a Georgia-based reef supplement brand, and so are we — by stocking Bulldawg you're supporting a small local business right here in GA. Same state, same hobby, same goal: healthy reef tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eAvailable in \u003cstrong\u003e8 oz and 16 oz\u003c\/strong\u003e bottles — please select your preferred size from the variant options above.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup Only — In-Store Only:\u003c\/strong\u003e This product is available for in-store pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics, \u003cstrong\u003e1885 Braselton Hwy, Suite D, Lawrenceville GA\u003c\/strong\u003e. Live copepod cultures are best handled locally for freshness and survival. Please contact us before traveling to confirm availability.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eLooking for more reef nutrition? Browse our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/nutrition\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eNutrition\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/additives-supplements\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAdditives \u0026amp; Supplements\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSaltwater Supplies\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eFeatures\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLive multi-species copepods\u003c\/strong\u003e — typically includes \u003cem\u003eTigriopus\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eTisbe\u003c\/em\u003e, and other reef-safe species in mixed life stages\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMandarin \u0026amp; dragonet food\u003c\/strong\u003e — the natural live food these fish are evolved to hunt\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRefugium seed\u003c\/strong\u003e — establish or replenish a self-sustaining pod population\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReef-safe\u003c\/strong\u003e — pods control detritus, film algae, and diatoms while feeding corals and larvae\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade in Georgia\u003c\/strong\u003e — supports a local small business; same state as Squeaky's Aquatics\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSaltwater reef use only\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eHow To Use\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAcclimate\u003c\/strong\u003e — float the bottle in the tank for 15–20 minutes to temperature-match before adding.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWhere to add:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pour into the refugium for best long-term population establishment, or directly into the display at lights-out so pods can settle into rockwork before predators find them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSkimmer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Turn the protein skimmer off for 30–60 minutes after adding so pods aren't pulled out before they settle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeed your pods:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pods need phytoplankton to grow and reproduce. Pair this with a live phyto blend (Diatom Blend, \u003cem\u003eRhodomonas\u003c\/em\u003e, or Clam Blend) and dose phyto regularly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFor mandarins:\u003c\/strong\u003e Seed the tank weeks before adding the fish, run a healthy refugium, and continue topping up pods every 1–2 weeks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStorage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Refrigerate immediately upon receiving. Keep tightly sealed. Do not freeze. Use within the freshness window on the bottle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse;\"\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrand\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eBulldawg (Georgia, USA)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eCopepod Mix\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eLive multi-species marine copepod culture\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUse For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eMandarins, dragonets, refugium seed, larval fish food, reef pod population\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSizes Available\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e8 oz, 16 oz (select above)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eSaltwater reef tanks, refugiums, breeding setups\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStorage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eRefrigerate (do not freeze)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMade In\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eGeorgia, USA\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eNew (live)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eRecommended Pairings\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/nutrition\"\u003eLive phytoplankton\u003c\/a\u003e — the food that keeps your pod population reproducing (try the Diatom Blend, \u003cem\u003eRhodomonas\u003c\/em\u003e, or Clam Blend)\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/additives-supplements\"\u003eReef additives \u0026amp; supplements\u003c\/a\u003e — alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, trace elements\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-mixes\"\u003eReef salt mixes\u003c\/a\u003e — for stable parameters during water changes\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/water-testing\"\u003eWater testing kits\u003c\/a\u003e — track parameters as feeding increases bioload\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill this feed my mandarin?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt will help, but a single bottle isn't a long-term diet. Mandarins eat hundreds of pods per day. The right approach is to seed the tank with pods, run a healthy refugium that produces pods continuously, and top up every 1–2 weeks. Many mandarins can also be trained onto frozen mysis with patience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy a \"mix\" of species?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDifferent copepod species occupy different niches — some live on rocks (\u003cem\u003eTisbe\u003c\/em\u003e), some swim in the water column (\u003cem\u003eTigriopus\u003c\/em\u003e), some are smaller (Apocyclops). A mix gives your tank pods of various sizes and behaviors so corals, larval fish, and pod-eaters all benefit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I keep them alive in my tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFeed your pods with live phytoplankton — they need food to reproduce. Run a refugium with chaeto and rock rubble for shelter and breeding habitat. Avoid heavy filtration immediately after dosing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I store the bottle?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRefrigerate as soon as you get home — never freeze. Use within the freshness window. Acclimate temperature-wise before adding to your tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre pods reef-safe?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — they're a native part of a healthy reef ecosystem and benefit corals, fish, and water quality. They will not harm anything in the tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Bulldawg","offers":[{"title":"8 oz","offer_id":48648731623643,"sku":"BDCP08","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"16 oz","offer_id":48648731656411,"sku":"BDCP16","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"32 oz","offer_id":48820434436315,"sku":"BDCP32","price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_501b6b06-7756-44e7-ab88-f177b3080be6.jpg?v=1776981624","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bulldawg-copepod-mix-live-marine-pods","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}