Explore the fascinating world of copepods through our collection of incredible copepod micro-photography, produced by the award-winning photographer and filmmaker, Peter Parks, who together with his son, Chris Parks, founded Image Quest Marine.

These tiny aquatic crustaceans can be found virtually anywhere there is water, from mountain streams to the ocean depths. They form an important link in the aquatic food chain, feeding on microscopic cells of phytoplankton. A single copepod can consume up to 373,000 phytoplanktons per day! In turn, copepods are eaten by juvenile fish and other planktivores, including some whales. Adults typically grow to a length of 1-2 mm but some can be as small as just 0.2mm, making Peter's beautiful images pretty awe-inspiring!