Is this an amphipod?

[acshaw80]

Noob here. Was changing out some activate carbon in a media bag today and found 4-5 of these guys squirming in the bag. Wasn’t sure what they were at first but I googled amohipod and this looks similar. Can I get a confirmation please? Est size at 3-5mm.

thanks!

 

[don_chuwish]

Yep! Good thing to have.

 

[Tired]

Amphipod. Generally considered harmless/beneficial (good fish snacks), but can irritate stressed corals, and may breed out of control in a tank with no fish.

 

[don_chuwish]

I remember the first time I saw one, it was at night, looking with a flashlight. Saw it wiggling away for cover and FREAKED me out. Thought I had a baby sea monster in my tank.

 

[acshaw80]

I remember the first time I saw one, it was at night, looking with a flashlight. Saw it wiggling away for cover and FREAKED me out. Thought I had a baby sea monster in my tank.

lol. I definitely had that reaction. I thought it was a bunch of baby house centipedes (which really freak me out) at first because I saw them in the utility sink near the drain.

 

[Soren]

lol. I definitely had that reaction. I thought it was a bunch of baby house centipedes (which really freak me out) at first because I saw them in the utility sink near the drain.

Yep, looks the same as my gammarid amphipods. I guess they are kind of like house centipedes: useful for the ecology but can be kind of creepy to some. I like my amphipods since they are useful in the system and provide no direct means of actually harming me.
I actually find house centipedes interesting and not scary, but, then again, I've held bull snakes (look kind of like rattlesnakes, even shake their tails to buzz sort of like the rattles, but are harmless accept for a potentially slightly painful bite) to try to convince my little sister not to be scared of critters (it didn't work).

 

[Tired]

House centipedes are harmless, and good to have around. They eat other, more objectionable bugs, including bitey ones. I see why they scare people, but I personally enjoy them.
I also like snakes!

I kinda like to watch amphipods go about their business. It's funny when they grab big bits of food to drag into hiding.