bugs ?

[ReeferRookie]

Ive just. Very recently noticed these tiny bugs? So to speak they came after an algae spurt very very tiny cant get a pic of them almost like an ant. So far ive seen maybe 10. Anyone have any ideas at all what is swimming in my tank are they good or bad

 

[WillKatt]

Probably just copepods which are good.

 

[ReeferRookie]

Thats what i was hoping. Ive just never seen a pick of copepods so i didnt know what to look for these guys are small kinda jellybean shaped and greyish

 

[WillKatt]

A good pic would help identify. They may be amphipods as well. How big are they?

 

[WillKatt]

I missed the ant description they are most likely amphipods of some sort.

 

[ReeferRookie]

Theyre extremely tiny my clowns dont mess with them but my chromis is eating up a.storm. ive taken a better look. Theyre way smaller then ants thry look like they have alot of legs or feelers of some sort ill try my best for a pic but i only have my phone and i feel they are much too small let me try guys and thanks for replying

 

[WillKatt]

Well either way both are beneficial! Although some species of amphipod have been said to feed on corals such as zoas but I wouldn't worry about that unless you encounter an issue. I personally have never witnessed this.

 

[ReeferRookie]

Sorry i almost had a pic but my chromis loves following me then he sees them and eats them. If i feel i have too many bow can i get rid of some ? Other then my vacuumm of a chromis

 

[ReeferRookie]

they look like this and hang out on the glass and.rocks

 

[stiky]

They're pods. Amphipods look like ant sized rolley poleys and Copepods are suuuuuuper small. They move like 1 mm at a time and then stop, scurry, stop. You'll find them in chaeto, rocks, and algae on your glass. Especially if it has a film layer. If you see flat ones with a U shaped mouth or a red dot in the middle, those are bad. 6lines will eat those. But don't buy fish to fix a problem or u may end up with a fish you don't like lol.

 

[ReeferRookie]

Ive researched them alot and i even had a local pet shop owner come take a look. For a first time reef he was very impressed minus the algae problem he sed my anemone looks extremely healthy and that they are copepods and i have plenty of them !!! He went on to babble about what good they do which ill admitt i zoned out. Ive fallen inlove with softies z`s and p's. They will dominate my tank ill be sure to update. You all under my other thread. Small budget reef.

 

[stiky]

To recap the zoning. They eat detritus and add to the biodiversity of your tank. When you have plenty you can keep unique fish that primarily eat them as their main food source like dragon face pipe fish and dragonettes/mandarins. It also means your tank and rock are healthy.

 

[ReeferRookie]

Ohs sweet well no zoning. This time haha. I dont want a dragon yet till i get a refuge so he doesnt eat them off