Copepods or pest?

[YegReefRookie]

Hey all,

I'm pretty sure the answer is going to be, "Yes those are copepods", but I wanted to check with the community to be sure they aren't a pest I should be concerned about. I had added Tigriopus Californicus “Tigger” copepods about a month ago but they were much smaller and swam in the water column as white specs jerking around the tank. It seemed as of late they were all gone. But then I noticed these guys yesterday crawling all over the rocks. They seem to only be on the rocks. Most are clearish looking like these but others are more brown, any ideals?

Thanks in advance.

 

[KJ]

Amphipod Gammarid good to heave!

 

[N.Sreefer]

Those actually look like isopods to me (not the bad kind) Idotea. Algal feeders, amphipods can swim but Idotea isopods cant so if you see one swimming not crawling on the rocks im wrong. Either way its not a harmful hitchhiker.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Agree on the larger genus- Amphipods which are the fastest growing food crustacean you can encounter, however be aware that amphipods can and may prey on copepods that they find crawling on rock and sandand will therefore remove adult, benthic copepods by consuming egg carrying females thereby depriving the system of young planktonic copepods.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Those actually look like isopods to me (not the bad kind) Idotea. Algal feeders, amphipods can swim but Idotea isopods cant so if you see one swimming not crawling on the rocks im wrong. Either way its not a harmful hitchhiker.

No. . . it these in video( amphipods):

 

[N.Sreefer]

No. . . it these in video( amphipods):

Theres an amphipod that crosses the frame darting around like they do but the camera focuses mainly on the one not rapidly moving the Idotea I honestly didn't notice the amphipod darting around but the op could be refering to either. Look close at the one thats barely moving.

 

[N.Sreefer]

Bottom left

 

[YegReefRookie]

I'm referring to all of the different creatures in the video. If you look closely in the background to the top there are even more small ones moving about. Consensus seems that either way they aren't a pest and are in fact "good" though...?

 

[N.Sreefer]

Ya either way they aren't pests the isopods I mention feed on algal turfs and climb over the substrate and rocks the amphipods swim and dart around quickly also feeding on algae but with more of a varied diet. So whether its both or just amphipods they're harmless.

 

[YegReefRookie]

Ya either way they aren't pests the isopods I mention feed on algal turfs and climb over the substrate and rocks the amphipods swim and dart around quickly also feeding on algae but with more of a varied diet. So whether its both or just amphipods they're harmless.

Perfect!! Thanks for the help.

 

[Jay'sReefBugs]

Give it time your tank will be infested with them in a good way . I had a couple come on a frag plus once now 6 months later I have what seems like thousands.... Check your tank at night that's when they come out to feed mostly . They will scatter like roaches

 

[WheatToast]

No. . . it these in video( amphipods):

I know this is an old thread, but the rightmost crustacean is a Munnid isopod.