Tiny Bugs

Green Marine · 07-12-2006, 01:25 PM

A couple weeks ago i thought i noticed something very small and brown scurry along the sand under my LR. I thought i was seeing things, until today in closer inspection I have in fact tiny bugs in my tank. They are very small brownish redish in color and they are in large numbers. They run along the sand the same way an ant would. They are way to small for pictures. Does the description sound like anything? Harmfull or not? One more thing.....in the process of finding these creatures I have also found a small cenipede looking creature. Also it is too small for pictures. Any thoughts? thanks.

Qcks · 07-15-2006, 01:15 PM

amphipods, or a similar type creature. One particular species of Amphipod will attack fish, and occasionally humans who happen to be cleaning the tank. I've personally not encountered this species though, and it has been my experience that a healthy population of amphipods/copipods is an indication of a healthy tank.

**Ninong** · 07-15-2006, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Marine

A couple weeks ago i thought i noticed something very small and brown scurry along the sand under my LR. I thought i was seeing things, until today in closer inspection I have in fact tiny bugs in my tank. They are very small brownish redish in color and they are in large numbers. They run along the sand the same way an ant would. They are way to small for pictures. Does the description sound like anything? Harmfull or not?

Those would be copepods. They are beneficial creatures. They feed on detritus and phytoplankton. Fish feed on them. The more you have, the better.

Quote:

One more thing.....in the process of finding these creatures I have also found a small cenipede looking creature. Also it is too small for pictures. Any thoughts? thanks.

Some sort of polychaete. Most of these are beneficial scavengers and a good thing to have in a reef aquarium.

**Ninong** · 07-15-2006, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qcks

amphipods, or a similar type creature. One particular species of Amphipod will attack fish, and occasionally humans who happen to be cleaning the tank. I've personally not encountered this species though, and it has been my experience that a healthy population of amphipods/copipods is an indication of a healthy tank.

I believe you are confusing amphipods with Cirolanid isopods.

**Ninong** · 07-15-2006, 01:33 PM

Here is a good article on the various "pods" by Dr. Ron Shimek.

Qcks · 07-15-2006, 02:54 PM

ah, you are correct. thank you.

07-12-2006, 01:25 PM	#1
Green Marine Just Moved In Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Spring, Tx Posts: 46	Tiny Bugs A couple weeks ago i thought i noticed something very small and brown scurry along the sand under my LR. I thought i was seeing things, until today in closer inspection I have in fact tiny bugs in my tank. They are very small brownish redish in color and they are in large numbers. They run along the sand the same way an ant would. They are way to small for pictures. Does the description sound like anything? Harmfull or not? One more thing.....in the process of finding these creatures I have also found a small cenipede looking creature. Also it is too small for pictures. Any thoughts? thanks.

07-15-2006, 01:33 PM	#5
Ninong Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Louisiana Posts: 19,733	Here is a good article on the various "pods" by Dr. Ron Shimek. __________________ Ninong

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07-15-2006, 01:15 PM	#2
Qcks Just Moved In Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Ogden, or Logan, Utah Posts: 40	amphipods, or a similar type creature. One particular species of Amphipod will attack fish, and occasionally humans who happen to be cleaning the tank. I've personally not encountered this species though, and it has been my experience that a healthy population of amphipods/copipods is an indication of a healthy tank.

07-15-2006, 02:54 PM	#6
Qcks Just Moved In Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Ogden, or Logan, Utah Posts: 40	ah, you are correct. thank you.

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