{"product_id":"nutramar-tigrio-live-copepods-4oz-saltwater-reef-food","title":"Nutramar Tigrio Live Copepods 4oz","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E0F7FA;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Pick up at \u003cstrong\u003e1885 Braselton Hwy, Suite D, Lawrenceville, GA\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\nYour order is reserved — we hold off on bagging until you arrive, so the copepods stay fresh in their display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNutramar Tigrio Live Copepods 4oz\u003c\/strong\u003e is a concentrated bottle of live \u003cem\u003eTigriopus californicus\u003c\/em\u003e — the gold-standard live food for mandarins, dragonets, seahorses, jawfish, and any picky reef fish that refuses prepared diets. Tigriopus pods are vivid orange, rich in HUFAs (DHA\/EPA) and astaxanthin, and small enough for fry yet meaty enough to attract adult predators in a fully-stocked reef.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBrowse our full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/nutrition\"\u003eaquatic nutrition collection\u003c\/a\u003e or shop more \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater livestock \u0026amp; supplies\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eWhat's in the Bottle\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpecies:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eTigriopus californicus\u003c\/em\u003e — harpacticoid copepods.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQuantity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4 fluid ounces of live, gut-loaded pods in saltwater.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNutrition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Naturally high in DHA, EPA, and astaxanthin — the same carotenoid that gives wild-caught reef fish their vivid color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePod size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mix of adults, juveniles, and nauplii — suitable from fish fry through adult mandarins.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eWho Needs Live Pods\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMandarins \u0026amp; dragonets:\u003c\/strong\u003e Most won't accept frozen food when they arrive — live pods are often the difference between a thriving fish and a slow starvation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeahorses \u0026amp; pipefish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Picky planktivores that target moving prey.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJawfish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hover-and-snap feeders that love target-feeding pods.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAnthias \u0026amp; fry:\u003c\/strong\u003e Constant grazers that benefit from a steady pod population.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRefugium seeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Add the entire bottle to your sump or refugium to establish a self-sustaining breeding colony that drips pods into the display tank 24\/7.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eHow to Use\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDirect feeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Turn off the return pump, pour the desired amount near your target fish with a turkey baster or pipette, wait 10–15 minutes, then resume flow.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRefugium dosing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pour the entire bottle into a chaeto-bedded refugium with low flow and no fish predation. Pods will breed continuously and drip into the display.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStorage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Refrigerate the bottle immediately. Loosen (don't remove) the cap so pods can breathe. Use within 7–10 days for best results, or seed your refugium right away.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGentle pour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Don't shake hard — copepods are tougher than rotifers but you can still bruise a percentage. A few gentle swirls before pouring distributes them evenly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;width:40%;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrand\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eNutramar\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecies\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eTigriopus californicus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eForm\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eLive, in saltwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVolume\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e4 fl oz\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBest for\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSaltwater reef tanks, refugium seeding, picky eaters\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStorage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eRefrigerate, use within 7–10 days\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef safe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eYes — beneficial to corals \u0026amp; inverts\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Pairings\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/red-mandarin-goby-synchiropus-splendidus-saltwater\"\u003eRed Mandarin Goby\u003c\/a\u003e — classic pod-dependent reef fish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/spotted-mandarin-goby-synchiropus-picturatus-saltwater\"\u003eSpotted Mandarin Goby\u003c\/a\u003e — same nutritional needs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bulldawg-copepod-mix-live-marine-pods\"\u003eBulldawg Copepod Mix\u003c\/a\u003e — multi-species blend to diversify your refugium colony.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bulldawg-reef-juice-elite-live-phytoplankton\"\u003eBulldawg Reef Juice Elite\u003c\/a\u003e — live phytoplankton to feed and sustain your pod culture.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/adaptive-reef-copepod-habitat-sump-refugium-shelter\"\u003eAdaptive Reef Copepod Habitat\u003c\/a\u003e — sump-safe shelter that lets a colony establish without being eaten.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Tigriopus breed in my tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYes, in a fish-free refugium with phytoplankton and gentle flow. In the display, they'll get eaten before they can establish a sustainable colony — which is exactly what you want for picky fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow often should I dose?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nFor a mandarin or dragonet in a tank with no refugium, plan on a 4 oz bottle every 1–2 weeks until the fish accepts prepared foods. With a working refugium, one bottle to seed and you may never need to buy more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre they reef safe?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nCompletely. Pods are reef-tank staples and help corals by reducing detritus and providing micro-feedings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy are the pods orange?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nAstaxanthin — a natural carotenoid pigment that's also a powerful antioxidant. It's what makes wild reef fish color up so vividly, and it transfers when they eat the pods.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nutramar","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540947972315,"sku":"2900001","price":22.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_ba98772c-57d8-4068-a346-2022f026a16b.jpg?v=1775043796","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/nutramar-tigrio-live-copepods-4oz-saltwater-reef-food","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}