Copepods, the primary zooplankton, are a major item on the forage fish menu. Copepods are typically long, with a teardrop-shaped body. Some scientists say they form the largest animal biomass on the planet.Biology of Copepods at Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg Copepods are very alert and evasive. They have large antennae (see photo below left). When they spread their antennae, they can sense the pressure wave from an approaching fish and jump with great speed over a few centimetres. If copepod concentrations reach high levels, schooling herrings adopt a method called ram feeding. In the photo below, herring ram feed on a school of copepods. They swim with their mouths wide open and their operculae fully expanded.
Copepods the primary zooplankton are a major item on the forage fish menu Copepods are typically long with a teardrop-shaped body Some scientists say they form the largest animal biomass on the planetBiology of Copepods at Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg Copepods are very alert and evasive They have large antennae (see photo below left) When they spread their antennae they can sense the pressure wave from an approaching fish and jump with great speed over a few centimetres If copepod concentrations reach high levels schooling herrings adopt a method called ram feeding In the photo below herring ram feed on a school of copepods They swim with their mouths wide open and their operculae fully expanded