mycograham
Community Member
Hey all! I just noticed some small white pods in my tank. I took one out for a microscopic ID if anyone has the knowledge it would be greatly appreciated! My best guess is a type of pod in the harpacticoida? Thanks!!!
Good or bad pod? Picture from microscope..
- Thread starter mycograham
- Start date
- Tagged users None
Flippers4pups
Fins up since 1993
Not sure. I’m not a expert on them. I would think they are good guys. Let’s see what others think.
Idoc
Getting lazier and lazier with upkeep!
Looks like an amphipod bent backwards on the slide
OP
OP
mycograham
Community Member
It’s smashed between the cover glass so maybe it’s tail is pointed in a strange direction. I had a hard time finding it on the slide when it could swim around. I’m supposing these amphipods are a beneficial organism?
Last edited:
OP
OP
mycograham
Community Member
Thank you so much for your help! Looks like the key to Amphipods is full of jargon a beginner would never have a chance understanding haha. Are most of these amphipods beneficial to the tank or are some pests? I have read of the white bugs that attack Euphyllia and other soft corals and got scared. Probably just overreacting noticing the ‘white bugs’ most beginners complain about but also curious.
Idoc
Getting lazier and lazier with upkeep!
As far as i know, the amphipods are all good. The really small white bugs are probably some sort of copepod, which are good. The ones to watch out for are some of the flatworms (attacks some coral) and some of the isopods (attaches to fish).
OP
OP
mycograham
Community Member
That is relieving to know. I introduced a couple new frags (one Duncan and a green eyed Favia) from a LFS and I have had them on quarantine after dipping in iodine solution but they showed up in the corner of the bare bottom quarantine tank in a swarm and are obviously breeding in the tank as of today. I have been cycling this QT for 2.5 months and it has coraline algae forming in the last couple days as well. Prob TMI but as reefing goes I guess that’s par for the course haha.
- Joined
- May 22, 2016
- Messages
- 6,970
- Reaction score
- 10,769
- What state or country do you live in
- Mississippi
this is a copepod. very normal. Under the scope they can look bent around like that.
whitejawfish
Community Member
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2020
- Messages
- 44
- Reaction score
- 12
- Location
- switzerland
- What state or country do you live in
- Other International
do you have another pic. cant quite tell from your pic.
OP
OP
mycograham
Community Member
I don’t unfortunately but they are still going crazy in the corner of the QT. I can siphon another one out and throw it on a slide this week. Thanks for your help everyone!
