The copepod cultures needed a water change to remove ammonia, dead algal cells and copepod molts. Deciding when to do the water changes is a balancing act of avoiding over-handling the cultures, which can knock off eggs or break up breeding pairs, and needing to get rid of waste that could inhibit breeding.
Researchers Alyssa Stubbs, Ja’Kaila Jefferson, and Xavier Grindley were on hand today to give these culture fresh clean seawater and live algae. The copepods look like they’re doing well with many egg sacs visible with the naked eye.
Good job Xavier and team!