Need help to ID small white creatures on walls of tank.

[reefhead728]

My tank has broken out with small white creatures on the walls of my tank im thinking they are a small type of zooplankton, but ill try to post a pic of them. they are near where ever i have algea on the glass.

[reefhead728]

Attachment 11977 dont know if you can see them. but they are small white bulb shaped.

[charlie]

Looks like pods to me. I wouldn't worry.

[reefhead728]

Cool. I think they are harmless they just eat algea most of the time when i do see them

[Ninong]

My tank has broken out with small white creatures on the walls of my tank im thinking they are a small type of zooplankton, but ill try to post a pic of them. they are near where ever i have algea on the glass.

Can you describe them?

Do they move around a lot or do they appear sesile (unmoving)?

What size are they?

What shape are they? Are they no larger than 1/8" or are they as large as 1/4"?

Do they look like tiny shrimp that move around a lot or do they look like stationary tiny white spiral shells no larger than 1/8"?

In other words, can you expand on "small white creatures?" The photo doesn't really show much of anything.

[reefhead728]

hay ninong

They are a little smaller than the tip of a ball point pin.

They are shaped like a light bulb and they move towards the more slender end like maybe thats the head of the thing. they mostly hang out on the walls of the tank and seem to be grazing on the algea. they also move in fast spurts only at about 1/4 inch at a time.

[Ninong]

They are a little smaller than the tip of a ball point pin.

Okay, if they're smaller than the tip of a ball point pen, then they're not amphipods.

They are shaped like a light bulb and they move towards the more slender end like maybe thats the head of the thing. they mostly hang out on the walls of the tank and seem to be grazing on the algea. they also move in fast spurts only at about 1/4 inch at a time.

The head of the critter is the end that moves forward. So, if that's the slender end, then that's the head. They could be some sort of copepod or, possibly, another type of 'pod.'

At this point in the identification process, as long as they don't show up on your fish or on your corals, then everything is cool. It's only when mysterious critters start showing up in numbers on your fish or on your corals that you have to be concerned.

[Ninong]

Go to Chuck's website. Click on Site Map. Then click on Hitchhiking copepods, isopods and amphipods and see if you recognize anything.

[reefhead728]

Thanks Ninong

[reefhead728]

i found them on chucks web site. cyclopoida Family, had to run out and get my magnify glass out the old tool box, but thats what iv got. once again thank you

[reefhead728]

By the way should i worry about them or will they be fine in the DT. Anyone know what im doing wrong by having these guys come from nowhere, Cyclopoid copepod.

[charlie]

I don't think you are doing anything wrong. Sometimes stuff just happens, you know the old saying. Did Chuck's site say they were bad???

[reefhead728]

no charlie it didnt, but i was reading on another site that on guys 45 gallon had so many that his fish had problems breathing the pods through there gills. I know i dont have that many in my tank yet, just wondering how long he let his go before it was to late.

[charlie]

Get something that will eat them, like a type of wrasse. That have to have a natural predator or two????

[reefhead728]

Yea i do get paid tomorrow and i do need to get some more fish in the tank.

[charlie]

Just do a little searching around, or maybe call one of the online suppliers and see what they say about those pods and maybe they can suggest a fish or two for you.

[reefhead728]

Will do i will check out some of the sponsers links

[charlie]

Maybe even give Kevin a call @ Aquatic Dreams in Spokane WA. Tell him we sent you.

[reefhead728]

charlie did you get the PM

[charlie]

It was a visitor message, but yeah, tell him I sent ya, and say hello from me, will ya.