LIVE COPEPODS

Operational name; accepted taxonomic name is Tigriopus thailandensis (WoRMS AphiaID 606713). Full taxonomic status →
 
Lion Pods™ Live Copepods are controlled-cultivation populations of Tigriopus sirindhornae — a taxonomically documented tropical copepod associated with the Gulf of Thailand — supplied live as natural food for reef aquariums. These are self-reproducing cultures, not processed biomass or extracted ingredients.
 
[View Sizes & Pricing] · [Shipping Policy]
 
DUAL PATH — TWO APPLICATIONS, ONE SPECIES
 
For Reef Aquariums — B2C
Live Tigriopus sirindhornae cultures with self-sustaining population potential, temperature-matched cultivation, and Live Arrival Guarantee.
 
For Institutions & Research — B2B
Controlled marine biomass sourcing available through a separate procurement framework for research and formulation.
 
[→ B2B Procurement Framework]
 
WHAT THIS IS
 
Lion Pods™ Live Copepods are live, actively reproducing single-species copepod cultures.
 
Not:
 
- Dried or preserved copepods
- Processed powder
- Extracted marine oil
- Isolated omega-3 supplement
- Mixed-species plankton blend
- Wild-harvested retail stock
 
This page covers living aquarium cultures only. Institutional Marine Bioactive Biomass follows a separate documentation and procurement pathway.
 
SPECIES AUTHORITY
 
Operational Name: Tigriopus sirindhornae
Accepted Name: Tigriopus thailandensis
Taxonomic Authority: WoRMS
Operational AphiaID: 729771
Accepted AphiaID: 606713
 
Why this species for reef systems:
 
- Tropical cultivation at 24–30°C
- Benthic lifestyle for rocks, sand, and refugia
- Continuous reproduction under suitable conditions
- Omnivorous feeding on phytoplankton, detritus, and microalgae
 
[→ Full Species Profile]
 
BIOLOGICAL FUNCTION
 
Natural Food Source — An important live food for mandarinfish, dragonets, seahorses, pipefish, and other small planktivorous reef animals.
 
Refugium Population — Established populations can reproduce and naturally migrate into the display aquarium.
 
Nutrient Cycling — Consumes microalgae and detritus while contributing to biological nutrient turnover.
 
Marine Omega-3 in Live Form — By feeding on phytoplankton, copepods naturally accumulate EPA and DHA within their tissues, supporting trophic transfer through the reef food web rather than functioning as a nutritional supplement.
 
CULTURE & QUALITY
 
Documented Single-Lineage Cultivation — Maintained from documented founder stock with no intentional introduction of external or wild cultures. Produced within a GAP-certified production facility in Chumphon, Thailand.
 
Quality Attributes — Operational:
 
- Temperature-acclimated to 26°C before shipping
- Mixed age-class population — adults, juveniles, nauplii
- Cultured in filtered natural seawater
- No production accelerants applied
- Active swimming visually confirmed before packing
- Batch traceability from culture vessel to delivery
 
Evidence Boundary: "Single-lineage" describes documented cultivation continuity and operational records. It does not imply genetic or morphometric confirmation, which remains a separate evidence category.
 
LIVE SHIPPING
 
Packaging: Insulated temperature-stabilized container · Oxygenated seawater · Ammonia-neutralizing buffer · Protective internal packaging
 
Shipping Schedule: Monday–Thursday dispatch only
 
Live Arrival Guarantee:
 
- Thailand retail deliveries only
- Unboxing photo required within 2 hours
- Replacement or store credit subject to policy
- Excludes predation, aquarium compatibility, and post-introduction maintenance
 
[→ Full Shipping Policy]
 
SIZES & FORMATS
 
250 mL — Starter refugium culture
500 mL — Standard reef feeding
1 Liter — Large reef systems
Mixed Age-Class — Adults + juveniles + nauplii
 
Retail pricing and promotions appear during checkout.
 
HOW TO USE
 
Introduction: Turn off protein skimmer and strong circulation for 4–6 hours. Introduce cultures into a refugium or low-flow zone.
 
Feeding: Supplement with phytoplankton when natural food becomes limited. Population size naturally regulates according to food availability.
 
Compatibility: Compatible with reef aquariums. Predatory fishes and some shrimp consume copepods, therefore refugium introduction is recommended for long-term establishment.
 
Recommended Parameters:
 
- Temperature: 24–30°C
- Salinity: 30–35 ppt
- pH: 7.8–8.4
 
DOCUMENTED ADVANTAGES
 
- Single-Species Focus — Tigriopus sirindhornae only
- Species-Documented — WoRMS AphiaID 729771 / Accepted 606713
- GAP-Certified Production — Facility-level cultivation system
- Batch-Traceable — Culture vessel to delivery documentation
- Controlled Land-Based Cultivation — No wild harvesting for retail supply
- Gulf of Thailand Type Locality Reference — Geographic taxonomic reference inherited from the species authority
 
EVIDENCE BOUNDARIES
 
We Confirm:
 
- Taxonomically documented species identity
- Controlled land-based cultivation
- GAP-certified production facility
- Defined Live Arrival shipping terms
 
We Do Not Claim:
 
- Guaranteed population counts
- Guaranteed establishment in every aquarium
- Fixed EPA/DHA percentage values
- Genetic confirmation of single-lineage status
- Supplement or therapeutic functionality
 
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
 
Are these the same copepods used for institutional biomass?
Yes. The species is the same, but the product form is different: Live Copepods are living retail cultures, while Marine Bioactive Biomass follows a separate B2B procurement pathway.
 
Will they reproduce in my aquarium?
Under suitable temperature, food availability, and reduced predation, they can establish self-sustaining populations.
 
How long do they live?
Farm cultivation records indicate an individual lifespan of approximately 3–4 weeks at 26°C, with an average generation time of about 21 days.
 
Do I need a refugium?
Strongly recommended. A refugium protects breeding populations from predation and improves long-term persistence.
 
What is Mixed Age-Class Culture?
A single-species culture containing adults, juveniles, and nauplii together for immediate feeding and continued reproduction.
 
Can I feed them directly to mandarinfish?
Yes. Both adults and nauplii are natural prey for mandarinfish and dragonets.
 
What does Documented Single-Lineage Culture mean?
It refers to documented cultivation continuity from a founder population without intentional introduction of external cultures. It is an operational documentation term — not a genetic verification claim.
 
What if my shipment arrives dead?
Follow the Live Arrival procedure by submitting an unboxing photo within two hours of delivery. Resolution follows the official shipping policy.
 
PURCHASE
 
[Select Size & Add to Cart]
 
- Live Arrival Guaranteed — Terms Apply
- Monday–Thursday Dispatch
- Insulated Live Shipping
 
FOOTER
 
Lion Pods™ — Live Copepods & Marine Bioactive Ingredients
Similan Farm · Siam Seahorse Standard Co., Ltd. · Chumphon, Thailand
 
Trust Signals: Operational Species · WoRMS AphiaID 729771 · GAP-Certified Production Facility · Batch-Traceable · Live Arrival Guaranteed
 
© 2026 Lion Pods™ — Powered by taxonomically documented biological data.
 
Canonical Status: LP-EN-002 v1.3 · Fully aligned with LP-EN-MBA-SP-003 Species Provenance · Ready for Deployment.
 
🔒 FREEZE CONFIRMED — NO FURTHER STRUCTURAL CHANGES PERMITTED
Next Canonical Node Recommendation: LP-EN-003 — PHYTOPLANKTON