[shempdevil]

It has happened numerous times in my freshwater tanks.
But NEVER in my marine tank.

A piece of my live rock has a 1 1/2" round cave that runs through it.
The cave is normally occupied my my Algae Blenny.

I was looking though it today and saw about 10-15 little guys in there.
They are very small...they actually look like tiny, tiny tadpoles.
If they are like the fry that I am used to in my freshwater tank, they look to be only a few days old.

I have had all of my fish for at least 6 months, and I am just seeing them now. I haven't added any live rock or corals for over 6 months as well.
The only thing I have added are some snails and hermit crabs.

Any idea what they could be?

AQUARIUM INVENTORY


TANK: 20 Gallon High Aquarium
FILTER: Penguin 125 Bio-Wheel
LIGHTS: Odyssea 24” 2 x 65W (12000K Daylight & Blue 03 Actinic) (2 LED Moon Lights)
HEATER
JET PUMP: Maxi-Jet 600


SUBSTRATE

20 lb Live Sand
20 lb Fiji Live Rock

CORALS

(2) 6”x 6” Green Star Polyp colonies
(1) 6” x 6” Button Polyp colony

FISH

(1) 2” Valentini Puffer
(1) 4” Algae Blenny
(1) 3” Bangghai Cardinal
(1) 2” Blue Devil (Female)

INVERTS

(1) 2” Emerald Crab
(8) Astrea Snails
(4) Dwarf Red Tip Hermit Crabs
(4) Dwarf Blue Leg Hermit Crabs
(12) Nassarius Snails
(12) Cerith Snails
(4) Bumble Bee Snails
(2) Jumbo Cerith Snails
(3) Orange Marked Hermit Crabs
(3) Jumbo Mexican Turbo Snails

[Ninong]

Unless you have a pair of Salarias fasciatus, you can rule that out. They're oviparous, laying demersal eggs according to fishbase.

What do you have in your tank?

[kevinpo]

They are most likely Mysid shrimp. Very common in reef tanks and a good food source. I have a small tank at the store I keep empty of fish so people can see them. They always ask what are the baby fish. They swear they are baby cleaner shrimp or fish when they call on the phone until they come in and see the ones at the store. Then they say those are the ones they have at home too. Their eyes will glow at night if you shine a flashlight in the tank when the tank lights are off.

Regards,
Kevin

[shempdevil]

Thanks Kevin,
But darn, I was hoping I had some new fish on the way!!!