Beneficial or pests?

[stolognabologna420]

Hey guys, I’m brand new to saltwater aquariums. I have a pico sexy shrimp tank that is built into my land hermit crab enclosure. The tank has been cycling for 6 and a half months, the sexy shrimp were introduced a month ago.

The other day I noticed tiny critters crawling around and practically overnight all of the algae (there was quite a bit due to high light levels) has disappeared. There was a slight spike in ammonia and I completed a water change and all the parameters are back within range.

I want someone to tell me I’ve acquired the world’s best clean up crew and not that I have a pest problem. I’m worried for my sexies.

 

[HankstankXXL750 Verified Sponsor]

Any pictures of the critters?

 

[JCM]

Copepods? If so, they are good.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Pics under white lighting are best before answering. While they can be copepods, can be detritus worms, hydrozoa and more.

 

[stolognabologna420]

Any pictures of the critters?

I’ll try to get pics, they’re extremely small though

 

[stolognabologna420]

Any pictures of the critters?

I’ll try to get pics, they’re extremely small th

 

[I never finish anythi]

I’ll try to get pics, they’re extremely small th

Could be amphipods

 

[HankstankXXL750 Verified Sponsor]

I’ll try to get pics, they’re extremely small th

If they look like tiny white dots about the size of the end of a sharpened pencil then they are probably pods. Might even have a little forked tail. Google them and you can compare. If pods good not bad.

 

[HankstankXXL750 Verified Sponsor]

Could be amphipods

Amphipods are larger than copepods. To me they look like a flea. And are 1/4” or so.

 

[Chrisanthellae]

Could they be munnid isopods? I've got them in my tank and they are definitely great algae eaters.

 

[stolognabologna420]

Pics under white lighting are best before answering. While they can be copepods, can be detritus worms, hydrozoa and more.

I’ve tried to get some pics but they’re pretty microscopic. This rock is crawling with them, and you can tell where the algae growth had been sitting

 

[stolognabologna420]

Amphipods are larger than copepods. To me they look like a flea. And are 1/4” or so.

These definitely aren’t 1/4”. More like <1mm

 

[vetteguy53081]

I’ve tried to get some pics but they’re pretty microscopic. This rock is crawling with them, and you can tell where the algae growth had been sitting

Not seeing much in pics but pods do feed on phyto and algaes.
Are they clear or the black dots on rock ?

 

[stolognabologna420]

Not seeing much in pics but pods do feed on phyto and algaes.
Are they clear or the black dots on rock ?

They’re tiny specks that appear black, white, or red. They appear to crawl and hop.

 

[vetteguy53081]

They’re tiny specks that appear black, white, or red. They appear to crawl and hop.

Likely ostracods. Black or silver sailfin mollies will eat them. If you add mollies, acclimate them slowly to saltwater slowly

 

[DannoOMG]

Does it look like this...


This is when I released 20,000 "Galaxy Pods" from AlgaeBarn in my tank....

 

[Double monti 61]

Sexy shrimp like a good home.

 

[stolognabologna420]

Likely ostracods. Black or silver sailfin mollies will eat

Does it look like this...


This is when I released 20,000 "Galaxy Pods" from AlgaeBarn in my tank....

Yes, this is pretty spot on

 

[stolognabologna420]

Sexy shrimp like a good home.

How can I improve? This is my first attempt at saltwater and I fear I’ve been massively misinformed. I want to do well by my sexies, they’re funny little guys and I love them.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Yes, this is pretty spot on

A lot of pods in video