Copepods in my QT?

[ToddTT]

So it's been a few weeks, and my blind chromis is still in my QT, hiding from the rest of my fish.

He has figured out how to eat off the bottom of the tank, and to swim in tight circles. Pretty smart fish.

A couple of weeks ago I put some new macroalgae in there to observe it (a small patch), a squirt of Tigger pods for grins, and a small piece of once-live rock from my display tank (not sure how live it is these days).

Today I noticed an outbreak of white specs:



I'm guessing (hoping) copepods. Good guess? What was the most likely source of them, based on the above?

If this is a copepod explosion, I think my QT has officially become a refugium... of sorts.

Since there's no meds, ich, or anything else in the QT, I'll be siphoning plenty of these to my display tank soon, which should make my dragonet pretty happy. I'm pretty sure my display tank is currently copepod-deficient.

So who thinks copepods?

Thanks!
Todd

[leebca]

Can't tell from the photo. Looks like dirty glass/plastic. If they are true pods, then they are mobile.

By introducing an unknown into the sytem, anything is possible.

[ToddTT]

Can't tell from the photo. Looks like dirty glass/plastic. If they are true pods, then they are mobile.

By introducing an unknown into the sytem, anything is possible.

They are mobile, crawling slowly and randomly about.

Is a microscope a practical tool to have? Or would it just raise more questions and concerns?

[leebca]

There are some very good microscopes that you can use to even see Marine Ich. I use a professional scope.

But it is like you mentioned -- unless you know what it is you're looking at or have a need to identify it, probably not a direction to go -- you could just end up with a closer view of something that is still an unknown.

As a microbiologist I'm prejudiced -- it's a fun world!

[ToddTT]

There are some very good microscopes that you can use to even see Marine Ich. I use a professional scope.

But it is like you mentioned -- unless you know what it is you're looking at or have a need to identify it, probably not a direction to go -- you could just end up with a closer view of something that is still an unknown.

As a microbiologist I'm prejudiced -- it's a fun world!

You were supposed to say "yes, you need a microscope".

Now I have to buy one just for fun, and feel guilty about the purchase.

Can a decent scope be under $200? Under $100? Any recommendations?

[leebca]

For the identification of Marine Ich, you need a science-type scope that will have good resolution at 500x. I think you can get those for under $200. I have no specific recommendations other than to go surfing (the Internet). Check those on eBay and sold by Edmond Scientific.

[reefer@zoom]

1st off you sure your chronis is blind.I had a problem with my black tomato clown kind like that. Turned out is was the pecking order thing.Seems my hippo tang teamed up with my domino damsel and harrased him into hiding for so long when feeding time came he was grey looking.When I moved those 2 he came back to life. and stress causes ick btw. Might not be your tank.

[ToddTT]

1st off you sure your chronis is blind.I had a problem with my black tomato clown kind like that. Turned out is was the pecking order thing.Seems my hippo tang teamed up with my domino damsel and harrased him into hiding for so long when feeding time came he was grey looking.When I moved those 2 he came back to life.

He definitely lost sight:

Blind chromis? How to tell? What next?

He's still living in my QT, and has gotten much better at finding food on the floor of the tank. He pecks at the floor of the tank, and also swims backwards to stir the food up.

And whenever a small piece hits him, he is always surprised and darts away from it.

If he recovers I may put him back in my display tank. Otherwise, I guess he'll continue to have a tank of his own.

and stress causes ick btw. Might not be your tank.

He no longer seems stressed, and I haven't seen any visible signs of ich on any of my fish.

Thanks for the reply.