Moina Macrocopa
Live Moina Macrocopa Cultures
Science-Backed. Wisconsin-Grown. Veteran-Owned.
If Daphnia magna is the live food workhorse, Moina macrocopa is the specialist — smaller, faster-reproducing, warmer-running, and uniquely suited to fry feeding and high-volume production. At 0.7–1.6 mm as adults and 250–300 µm as neonates, Moina fills a size range no other common live food occupies conveniently: too large for rotifers, too small for Daphnia.
The Fry Food Specialist
Moina neonates (250–300 µm) fit the mouths of newly free-swimming fry that cannot yet take Daphnia. This is the food that closes the gap between infusoria and juvenile fish large enough to take full-size Daphnia.
Nutritional Profile
Moina's nutritional profile is among the highest measured for any freshwater live food organism. Recent aquaculture research documented protein content reaching 79% dry weight under optimized feeding conditions — higher than fish meal.
| Nutrient | Moina macrocopa | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Crude protein | 50–79% | Fish meal: 65–72% |
| Crude lipid | 10–20% | Bloodworms: 5–10% |
| Phospholipids | 25–35% of lipid fraction | — |
| Carotenoids | Present (beta-carotene) | — |
| Vitamin C | Active (destroyed by drying/freezing) | — |
Temperature: The Critical Difference
Moina is not negotiable on temperature. At 25–30°C — the temperatures that stress Daphnia — Moina is at peak production, doubling its population every 1.5–2 days. If your fish room runs warm for bettas, discus, or tropical species, Moina is the live food that thrives in that environment.
| Temperature | Moina outcome |
|---|---|
| <20°C | Very slow; culture will decline |
| 20–24°C | Reduced reproduction; marginal |
| 25–30°C | Peak production — target range |
| >32°C | Heat stress; decline begins |
Which Fish Love Moina?
| Fish type | Suitability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Newly free-swimming fry | ★★★★★ Essential | Bridge from rotifers/infusoria to Daphnia |
| Bettas | ★★★★★ Excellent | Adults prefer Moina neonates; excellent feeding trigger |
| Killifish | ★★★★★ Excellent | Primary conditioning live food in the killifish hobby |
| Small tetras | ★★★★★ Excellent | Neons, cardinals, rummy nose — ideal size |
| Guppy & endler fry | ★★★★★ Excellent | First live food for livebearer fry |
| Corydoras | ★★★★☆ Very good | Adults perfect size |
| Discus | ★★★★☆ Very good | Excellent conditioning; mix with Daphnia |
| Goldfish | ★★★☆☆ Good | Adults prefer D. magna; Moina fine as supplement |
| Large cichlids | ★★☆☆☆ Fair | Too small to satisfy; use D. magna primarily |
What We Ship
Every culture is raised on log-phase Chlorella vulgaris, gut-loaded for 48 hours before harvest, and shipped in a reusable food-grade container on a Monday–Wednesday schedule designed to protect the animals in transit. Your container is your starter culture vessel — no immediate transfer needed.
All Moina cultures include spirulina powder and dry yeast food mix so you can start feeding them from day one.
Part of the Three-Organism System
Moina works alongside Daphnia and Chlorella to cover every fish size from first-feeding fry through large adult cichlids with no size gap. Together the three organisms form a self-sustaining live food chain that produces continuous supply year-round.
Browse all Moina cultures →
Starter kits & bundles →
Learn about the complete live food system →