Amphipods - Reef Genetics

Amphipods from Reef Genetics are aquacultured under controlled conditions, ensuring each batch arrives free of pests and pathogens that wild-harvested alternatives can introduce. This makes them a straightforward, low-risk addition for reef systems where biosecurity matters. Their natural grazing behavior puts them to work immediately, processing detritus, benthic algae, and bacterial biofilms across substrate surfaces, live rock crevices, frag racks, and filter socks — areas where manual cleaning is difficult and microfaunal populations are often thin.

As a live food, they are particularly valuable for fish that refuse frozen or prepared diets. Mandarin dragonets, seahorses, pipefish, cuttlefish, and anthias all target amphipods actively, and a healthy in-tank population can meaningfully reduce dependence on hand-feeding these species. Because the amphipods are live and moving, they trigger natural foraging behavior that supports both nutrition and behavioral enrichment.

For hobbyists who want a longer-term solution, this culture is well-suited as a seed population. A small refugium, chaeto reactor, or purpose-built kreisel or bottle culture can sustain and grow the population between tank introductions. Feeding the culture on phytoplankton, spirulina, or macroalgae clippings keeps reproduction consistent. With a stable seeded culture, live amphipods become a recurring, low-cost resource rather than a consumable purchase.