Amphipods overpopulation

[onecollegereef]

Hi Everyone! I have a 1.3 gallon pico reef tank and everything has gone well with stability and coral growth. I dont monitor any parameters and only ensure stable salinity(1.024) and temperature(77 degrees Fahrenheit). The inhabitants include one blue leg hermit crab, two snails, GSP, Zoas, mushroom coral, Duncan Coral, green sinularia, and a toadstool. *This tank is temporary and Im aware of the need to transfer corals to a bigger tank in time* BUT, the population of amphipods is bugging my wife. She hates the "creepy crawlers" and they have actually become so abundant that the zoas are often not fully extended because of their scampering. I dose 2 drops of phytoplankton and 2 drops of RedSea Reef energy plus AB a day. Once a week we crush a single pellet of cichlid food (veggie) for the hermit crab (and amphipods i suppose).

What is a reasonable measure to reduce their population? is there a fish that could live there for a few months before we install a bigger tank?

 

[mcarroll]

If you're already planning the bigger tank, just be patient – the problem will take care of itself in due time.

They are detritivores, so reducing the amount of feeding will help reduce their numbers in the long run, but there are potential downsides to reduced feeding too. Maybe try it.....remove some (or all) of the hermits if needed.