Acartia is a genus of marine calanoid copepods. They are epipelagic, estuarine, zooplanktonic found throughout the oceans of the world, primarily in temperate regions. Species This genus contains the majority of species in the family Acartiidae: Reproductive and Life Cycle Female Acartia release eggs freely in the water. Nauplii hatch and undergo six distinct life stages to become copepodites and then undergo another six life stages to become fully mature copepods. Feeding Arcatia primarily feed on phytoplankton and are also known to consume rotifers, ciliates, and their own eggs and nauplii.