Brightwell Aquatics Zooplanktōs-M 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. ). Zooplanktōs-M provides a number of amino acids including one that is not naturally present. 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.