Brightwell Zooplanktos – M Zooplankton 8.5oz – 250ml is a concentrated suspension of copepods, a group of zooplankton heavily preyed upon by various aquatic organisms because of their size. The specific variety of copepods present in Zooplanktōs-M are extremely rich in amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and numerous carotenoid pigments, making them of exceptional nutritional value to the organisms that they are consumed by. These copepods fall within the mesoplankton (200.0 – 2,000.0µm) class of plankton. They are the proper size for feeding many species of stony corals (large- and small-polyp), as well as clams and other bivalves, plumed worms (Christmas tree worms, feather dusters, etc.), larval crustaceans and bivalves, juvenile fishes, and the adults of planktivorous fishes (such as anthias, basslets, pseudochromids, dartfishes, chromis, etc.) and microinvertebrate-predators (such as mandarinfishes, some gobies, dwarf wrasses, etc.).

Though Zooplanktōs-M provides a number of amino acids, one that is not naturally present has been added; this proprietary amino acid has been shown in studies to increase coloration of corals and other marine invertebrates. Additionally, a small percentage of vitamin-C is present to increase the benefits of Zooplanktōs-M, particularly to corals and their allies that have recently undergone fragmenting or propagation.

Zooplanktōs-M may be used in conjunction with other planktonic suspensions to provide a complete range of sizes to filter-feeding and planktivorous organisms.

Zooplanktōs-M does not require refrigeration, however storage in a cool, shaded area will prolong the activity of the vitamins. Refrigeration will maximize the shelf-life of the product.

Instructions and Guidelines

Shake product well before using. Turn protein skimmer and other forms of mechanical filtration off prior to adding food suspensions to aquaria, and allow 10 – 15 minutes after feeding before resuming operation of filtration.

Target Feeding (recommended): Target feeding may be carried out with a lengthy piece of rigid air tubing, plastic syringe, pipette, dropper, or similar device; pour 5 ml (1 capful) into a small container and suck a portion of this into the feeding device, then slowly discharge the contents of the device 2 – 4” upstream of the target organism(s). Repeat these steps as deemed necessary. Rinse the portion (inside and outside) of the feeder that was placed into aquarium water before placing it into this bottle (if feeding directly from the bottle rather than from a separate container); failure to do so will contaminate the product and encourage it to decompose.

Broadcast Feeding: Add up to 5 ml per 50 gallons of water in the entire aquarium system in an area of rapid water movement daily for the first four weeks of use; thereafter, the dosage may be increased as desired.