copepods will eat detritus. Rotifers are small enough to feed SPS, yet large enough for clams. Randy reed called it "candy" for your reef. The benefit is how extremely easy they are to culture. Fish will eat them in abundance as well. I think it really suprised everyone.

From Rotifer.com...

"Marine microalgae contains the important nutritional elements needed for larval development including fatty acids (especially EPA and DHA), carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, and sterols. Microalgae produces almost no fouling in your system (unlike powders and emulsions) so it is much easier to maintain long term rotifers cultures. The most commonly used algae for growing rotifers are Nannochloropsis and Isochrysis."


DHA is the most essential nutrient listed, I can't remember all of the factoids that he shot at us, but he said it's the best overall food for EVERYTHING in your tank.