Valid Accepted Name: Tigriopus thailandensis · Synonym: Tigriopus sirindhornae
 
A Complete Guide to Culturing Tigriopus sirindhornae
 
Gulf of Thailand • Over 10 Years of Controlled Cultivation
Species Reference Document
Taxonomy · Biology · Native Thai Strain · Cultivation · References
 
Document ID: LP-MR-001-EN v4.8 | Taxonomy verified against WoRMS: 3 August 2026
 
 
Reference Status
 
Content on this page is clearly divided into two categories:
• Peer-reviewed published scientific literature
• Internal operational records and observations from Lion Pods™
All sections clearly indicate their source category for full traceability.
 
Opening Statement
 
This reference page is dedicated to Tigriopus sirindhornae (currently accepted as Tigriopus thailandensis), the native Thai harpacticoid copepod that Lion Pods™ has maintained in continuous controlled cultivation for over 10 years. This is the exact strain featured in the guide, originating from the Gulf of Thailand, and is the subject of our long-term culture, observation, and documentation.
 
Definition
 
Tigriopus thailandensis (published as Tigriopus sirindhornae in 2013) is a marine harpacticoid copepod endemic to coastal Thailand. Under current taxonomic standards in the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), Tigriopus thailandensis (2012) is the valid accepted name, while Tigriopus sirindhornae (2013) is recognized as a junior synonym.
 
Overview
 
This document compiles verified data from peer-reviewed scientific publications, clearly separated from internal cultivation experience and observations recorded by Lion Pods™ specifically for this species. It is designed to support proper citation, verification, and authoritative study of this native Thai copepod, for researchers, aquarists, aquaculturists, and anyone interested in harpacticoid copepods, live feeds, and marine reef system management.
 
Scope of Document
 
This reference covers species-level information for Tigriopus thailandensis / Tigriopus sirindhornae only: taxonomy, morphology, habitat, biochemical composition, applications, and cultivation notes from operational experience. It does not cover all species in the genus, nor molecular biology, genetics, genomics, or any topics not yet supported by peer-reviewed research specifically for this taxon.
 
Key Terms
 
- Accepted Name: The valid scientific name recognized under international taxonomic rules at the time of publication.
- Synonym: An alternative scientific name previously published for the same taxon, no longer considered the valid name.
- Holotype: The single specimen designated as the name-bearing type when a new species is described.
- Type Locality: The exact location where the type specimen was originally collected.
- AphiaID: The unique persistent identifier for each taxon in the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS).
 
Taxonomy and Biology Summary
 
Valid Accepted Name: Tigriopus thailandensis Chullasorn, Ivanenko, Dahms, Kangtia & Yang, 2012
WoRMS AphiaID: 606713 — always verify current status via WoRMS before citation
Published Synonym: Tigriopus sirindhornae Chullasorn, Dahms & Klangsin, 2013
Synonym AphiaID: 729771 — always verify current status via WoRMS before citation
Full Taxonomic Classification: Animalia → Arthropoda → Crustacea → Hexanauplia → Copepoda → Harpacticoida → Harpacticidae → Tigriopus → thailandensis
Native Range: Gulf of Thailand, coastal waters of Thailand
Type Locality: Bang Saen Beach, Chon Buri Province, Thailand
First Published: 2012; described as Tigriopus sirindhornae in 2013
Natural Habitat: Intertidal rock pools with variable salinity, temperature, and water conditions
Adult Size: Female 0.94–1.12 mm; male average 0.90 mm
 
Known Limitations
 
Data regarding life cycle parameters, culture conditions, and performance ranges are based on Lion Pods™ operational experience with this strain and may differ from wild populations or results reported by other researchers or facilities. No comprehensive peer-reviewed studies on detailed nutritional profiles, fatty acid composition including EPA/DHA, astaxanthin content, or behavioral traits specific to this species have been published to date.
 
Update Policy
 
- Minor Revision (e.g. v4.7 → v4.8): Adjusted opening lead to feature Tigriopus sirindhornae first, aligned with poster and cultivation focus.
- Major Revision (e.g. v4.x → v5.0): Taxonomic changes, new findings from peer-reviewed research, or structural updates.
- Reviews will be conducted whenever relevant new research is published, or when taxonomic status changes in authoritative databases such as WoRMS.
 
 
 
Taxonomic Details
 
The currently valid name is Tigriopus thailandensis (2012, AphiaID 606713). The name Tigriopus sirindhornae was published in 2013 (AphiaID 729771) and is now treated as a synonym. Always confirm the latest status via WoRMS before use.
Sources: Chullasorn et al. 2012, Chullasorn et al. 2013, WoRMS.
 
Full classification: Kingdom Animalia → Phylum Arthropoda → Subphylum Crustacea → Class Hexanauplia → Subclass Copepoda → Order Harpacticoida → Family Harpacticidae → Genus Tigriopus → Species thailandensis
Sources: Karanovic et al. 2018, WoRMS.
 
 
Peer-Reviewed Published Data
 
All information in this section is extracted exclusively from the original published descriptions and research. The type locality is Bang Saen Beach, Chon Buri, in the Gulf of Thailand. The female holotype measures 1.12 mm in total length; additional paratypes range from 0.94–0.96 mm; males average approximately 0.90 mm. The body is robust and cylindrical, with clear division between prosome and urosome; females carry paired egg sacs at the posterior end.
Sources: Chullasorn et al. 2012, Chullasorn et al. 2013.
 
Fatty acid analysis detected myristic acid, pentadecanoic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, and oleic acid. No peer-reviewed published data currently exists providing detailed profiles of total protein, astaxanthin, EPA, DHA, or other specific compounds for this species.
Source: Chullasorn et al. 2013.
 
 
Operational Notes and Lion Pods™ Experience
 
Information in this section consists of internal observations, culture records, and operational experience from Lion Pods™ and is not derived from formal peer-reviewed research. Cultured specimens typically display a natural reddish-orange pigmentation. In nature, this species occurs primarily in intertidal rock pools subject to fluctuating environmental conditions.
 
Under culture conditions maintained by Lion Pods™, optimal growth and reproduction are observed at salinity 20–35 ppt, temperature 24–28°C, pH 8.0–8.5. These values represent the parameters used in our protocols and are not necessarily universal standards for the species in the wild.
 
At a rearing temperature of approximately 26–28°C, the full generation time from hatching to adult averages 19–26 days. Per Lion Pods™ internal usage records, this species is used as a live food source for a variety of marine organisms including mandarinfish, seahorses, gobies, juvenile marine fish, small invertebrates, soft corals, and corallivorous corals. Lion Pods™ received initial founder stock directly from the original research team and has maintained continuous culture of this strain for over 10 years.
 
 
Data Availability
 
Information drawn from published research is publicly available and citable as referenced. Details regarding specific proprietary culture methods or unpublished experimental data are not publicly disclosed at this time.
 
Related Content
 
- Copepod Species Comparison
- Basic Copepod Culture Guide
- Omega-3 from Marine Biological Sources
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reef Knowledge Series Video Library
- Lion Pods™ Live Copepods Products
 
Citation Guidance
 
Lion Pods™ (2026). Tigriopus thailandensis (synonym Tigriopus sirindhornae) — Authoritative Species Reference v4.8. Lion Pods™ Knowledge Hub. https://similanfarm.wixsite.com/lion-pods/knowledge/tigriopus-sirindhornae
 
Metadata
 
Document ID: LP-MR-001-EN v4.8 | Species ID: SP-TH-001 | First Published: 1 August 2026 | Last Updated: 3 August 2026 | Language: English | Permanent URL: https://similanfarm.wixsite.com/lion-pods/knowledge/tigriopus-sirindhornae | Maintained by: Lion Pods™
 
References (Vancouver Style)
 
Primary Sources
 
1. Chullasorn S, Ivanenko VN, Dahms HU, Kangtia P, Yang W. New species of Tigriopus from Thailand. Helgoland Marine Research. 2012;66:139–151.
2. Chullasorn S, Dahms HU, Klangsin P. Tigriopus sirindhornae sp. nov. — a new harpacticoid copepod from Thailand. Journal of Natural History. 2013;47:427–447.
3. World Register of Marine Species. Tigriopus thailandensis [database online]. Accessed 3 August 2026. Available from: https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=606713
 
Secondary Sources
 
1. Karanovic T, et al. Taxonomic review of the genus Tigriopus (Copepoda: Harpacticoida). Invertebrate Systematics. 2018;32.
 
Internal Records
 
1. Lion Pods™ Operational Records.
 
Version History
 
v4.8 | 3 August 2026: Revised opening to lead with Tigriopus sirindhornae, aligned with poster and cultivation focus, explicitly stated 10+ years continuous culture.
v4.7 | 3 August 2026: Corrected taxonomic hierarchy, adjusted wording for academic neutrality, clarified source attribution, standardized references.
v4.6 | 3 August 2026: Added Reference Status, refined wording, adjusted headings.