Last night I gave the tanks a once over after lights out with a red flashlight to see if any interesting critters were out an about. The reef tank was pretty typical with everything crawling and the corals in night mode. I decided to give my 720 gallon tank which is more or less for larger non safe reef fish a once over. My porcupine puffer is normally out and about at night and some other fish now and then. I saw the water seemed to have lots of large particles all over the place which is unusual after lights out especially when the reef tank was crystal clear. I turned on the white light away from the puffer of course and the tank must have hundreds if not thousands of small critters around 2-3mm. I could see eyes reflecting back at me and they were making movements on their own. Since I had no idea what they were I grabbed a couple of small containers and scooped some water up. I got two of these little critters on the first try. I got them into a petri dish and under my stereo microscope. First look and I said those are fish! I was shocked so I attached my cell phone adapter to the microscope to take some pictures and video. I did not get any footage of the tank full of fry as they dissipated by the time I finished up with the microscope. Now the big question what are they? Has anyone else experienced a hatch like this before in their tank?
What are they?
I have mostly large fish in my 720 gallon that are not in pairs or are not mature adults (Tangs, Angels, Wrasses, Triggers, Puffers). I only have a few smaller fish which are exceptions. I ruled out these fry coming from the 480 gallon reef tank since there were none of these fry present along with the fact that they would need to make it though the sump/filtration system in one piece which is possible but unlikely due to the numbers I was seeing.
What are they?
I have mostly large fish in my 720 gallon that are not in pairs or are not mature adults (Tangs, Angels, Wrasses, Triggers, Puffers). I only have a few smaller fish which are exceptions. I ruled out these fry coming from the 480 gallon reef tank since there were none of these fry present along with the fact that they would need to make it though the sump/filtration system in one piece which is possible but unlikely due to the numbers I was seeing.
- 1x Flame Hawk (Neocirrhites armatus) - Not likely since there is only one of them
- 2x Orange tail damsels (Chrysiptera cyanea) - Maybe?
- 3x Purple Pseudochromis (Pseudochromis porphyreus) - Maybe?