Is Copepod a Producer or Consumer?

Copepods are both primary consumers and producers which all varies on their size and species of Copepods. Unfortunately for them, copepods aren't tertiary consumers because they are eaten by the kings of the sea predators….. the jellyfish.

Is a copepod a consumer?

Free-living copepods form a crucial link in the food chain and are often assigned the role of "primary consumers." Although some large forms of copepods are predators, free-living copepods are generally herbivores, feeding only on plant plankton which they filter from the water.

Are copepods secondary producers?

Background: Copepods are major secondary producers in the World Ocean. They represent an important link between phytoplankton, microzooplankton and higher trophic levels such as fish. They are an important source of food for many fish species but also a significant producer of detritus.