Copepod questions.

[jrse7en]

I have billions of copepods infesting my aquarium which is a good thing so far. My single green chromi is constantly eating them in the same spot of the aquarium. They literally just jump into his mouth as I watch him with the powerheads off. Now I see billions, but when will this population die? I read in different threads that pod populations rise and fall constantly. One reason I made the refugium is to breed pods to sustain a mandarin. I'm sure at this rate I could sustain a dozen mandarins but I know the population will fall.
What is the reason why I have so many copepods?
What do they eat?
Is population due to the amount of food available?
Do snails, shrimps, crabs or sea stars eat copepods?
Is it typical for a chromi to eat copepods as much as mine does?

 

[bang guy]

Originally Posted by Jrse7en
http:///forum/post/3169390
What is the reason why I have so many copepods?
A combination of few predators, good environment, and bountiful food.
What do they eat?
Different species have different nutritional requirements. Most are omnivores and eat any organic material available.
Is population due to the amount of food available?
That's part of it.
Do snails, shrimps, crabs or sea stars eat copepods?
I can't think of any Snails or Stars but a few crabs (Porcelain) can catch & eat Copepods.
Is it typical for a chromi to eat copepods as much as mine does?
Yep.

 

[dingus890]

It does sound like you have a great tank for a Mandarin Goby..haha. It's a very good thing to have copepods. I wouldn't worry about it