Hitchhikers

Rtorres508 · Jul 16, 2020

Can anyone identify these little guys?
They move around like pods, but never saw these types.

CCauthers · Jul 16, 2020

Are they larger than your typical pod? If so, they are probably amphipods, which are good.

Nano sapiens · Jul 16, 2020

I have these (or something very similar). They are long and 'tubular', not hunched-backed like the typical reef aquarium Gammarus Amphipods. Mine are quite small and I need a 4x magnifier to see any real detail.

I've looked into identification and I believe that they are benthic isopods. There are many different types, including predatory and parasitic, but the ones I have are detritivores and cause no harm.

NashobaTek · Jul 16, 2020

Could be amphipods. I have some that big from ISP in Hawaii.

NashobaTek · Jul 16, 2020

Could be amphipods. I have some that big from ISP in Hawaii.

Rtorres508 · Jul 16, 2020

Nano sapiens said:
I have these (or something very similar). They are long and 'tubular', not hunched-backed like the typical reef aquarium Gammarus Amphipods. Mine are quite small and I need a 4x magnifier to see any real detail.

I've looked into identification and I believe that they are benthic isopods. There are many different types, including predatory and parasitic, but the ones I have are detritivores and cause no harm.

They are exactly as you described them. There’s absolutely no way to get rid of them without dismantling the whole system so I guess they would have to stay.

Rtorres508 · Jul 16, 2020

Thanks for the feedback!

Rtorres508 · Jul 16, 2020

Some are almost an inch long.

Nano sapiens · Jul 16, 2020

Rtorres508 said:
Some are almost an inch long.

Wow, must be on steroids at almost an inch long! As long as they don't munch on corals, your fish (or your fingers!), you're all good

Rtorres508 · Jul 16, 2020

The problem is I don’t know if they’re going to munch on fingers or coral lol. I caught them at lido beach where a few members from Manhattan reefs are getting them from. Forgot to mention that I’m out catching them.

Nano sapiens · Jul 16, 2020

Ok, that explains it

I wouldn't add those to a reef aquarium!

CCauthers · Jul 17, 2020

Yeah I would not add those to the aquarium, just in case they do turn out to be parasitic. They also could carry unknown pathogens or parasites of their own that your fish may not have defenses against.

Rtorres508 · Jul 17, 2020

CCauthers said:
Yeah I would not add those to the aquarium, just in case they do turn out to be parasitic. They also could carry unknown pathogens or parasites of their own that your fish may not have defenses against.

Thanks for the info! I brought them over to the coney island aquarium and was told the same thing so I tossed them back into the ocean.