What are these little guys?

[ChefReeferThomas]

I have a swarm of free swimming little white bugs in my tank and it’s tripping me out. They look like little white shrimp but hang upside down like mosquito larvae.
Are they some type of pod? Or do I have a problem?

 

[Mikedawg]

Look like pods

 

[Jekyl]

Either pods or hydroids. Wouldn't worry

 

[ChefReeferThomas]

Thanks y’all, I don’t have any fish for em so they’ve just proliferated. That type of rapid change just hit my alarm bells.

weird thing is, I don’t know how they were introduced to the system. Maybe the substrate? Everything was dry at the start.

 

[Billldg]

Are they on the glass, or free swimming in the water column?

 

[Jekyl]

Thanks y’all, I don’t have any fish for em so they’ve just proliferated. That type of rapid change just hit my alarm bells.

weird thing is, I don’t know how they were introduced to the system. Maybe the substrate? Everything was dry at the start.

Someone did a test and super heated everything added to a tank and copepods still made it in.

 

[ChefReeferThomas]

Are they on the glass, or free swimming in the water column?

Both. Maybe they’re two different things? My phone just won’t pick up the ones on the glass they’re just way too small.

 

[Billldg]

I would say it is most likely pods then. Though most pods will cling to the glass, the bigger species may free swim. Pods are always a good thing.

 

[ChefReeferThomas]

Someone did a test and super heated everything added to a tank and copepods still made it in.

Wow. Impressive little buggers. I’ve read plenty on the benefits of them being in a system so I guess I’ll just leave em. Probably about time to recruit some helpers for population control.

 

[Billldg]

Wow. Impressive little buggers. I’ve read plenty on the benefits of them being in a system so I guess I’ll just leave em. Probably about time to recruit some helpers for population control.

My Blue Star Leopard wrasse does that for me, LOL!!!

 

[ChefReeferThomas]

My Blue Star Leopard wrasse does that for me, LOL!!!

The challenge here for livestock is it’s a 5 gallon display, so I’ve gotta pick wisely with the space I have in the tank. Considering I eventually want some small corals in there too I’ll need something super small.

 

[Billldg]

The challenge here for livestock is it’s a 5 gallon display, so I’ve gotta pick wisely with the space I have in the tank. Considering I eventually want some small corals in there too I’ll need something super small.

With that size tank, I fully understand. The question is, do I see a massive tank upgrade in the future...LOL.. sorry, couldn't resist. ;Hilarious ;Hilarious

 

[ChefReeferThomas]

With that size tank, I fully understand. The question is, do I see a massive tank upgrade in the future...LOL.. sorry, couldn't resist. ;Hilarious ;Hilarious

Someday surely, for now it’s just dipping my toes in the water.
I just need more space & money for more tanks, every aquarists problem haha.