Hitchhikers

[Rtorres508]

Can anyone identify these little guys?
They move around like pods, but never saw these types.

 

[CCauthers]

Are they larger than your typical pod? If so, they are probably amphipods, which are good.

 

[Nano sapiens]

I have these (or something very similar). They are long and 'tubular', not hunched-backed like the typical reef aquarium Gammarus Amphipods. Mine are quite small and I need a 4x magnifier to see any real detail.

I've looked into identification and I believe that they are benthic isopods. There are many different types, including predatory and parasitic, but the ones I have are detritivores and cause no harm.

 

[NashobaTek]

Could be amphipods. I have some that big from ISP in Hawaii.

 

[NashobaTek]

Could be amphipods. I have some that big from ISP in Hawaii.

 

[Rtorres508]

I have these (or something very similar). They are long and 'tubular', not hunched-backed like the typical reef aquarium Gammarus Amphipods. Mine are quite small and I need a 4x magnifier to see any real detail.

I've looked into identification and I believe that they are benthic isopods. There are many different types, including predatory and parasitic, but the ones I have are detritivores and cause no harm.

They are exactly as you described them. There’s absolutely no way to get rid of them without dismantling the whole system so I guess they would have to stay.

 

[Rtorres508]

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Rtorres508]

Some are almost an inch long.

 

[Nano sapiens]

Some are almost an inch long.

Wow, must be on steroids at almost an inch long! As long as they don't munch on corals, your fish (or your fingers!), you're all good

 

[Rtorres508]

The problem is I don’t know if they’re going to munch on fingers or coral lol. I caught them at lido beach where a few members from Manhattan reefs are getting them from. Forgot to mention that I’m out catching them.

 

[Nano sapiens]

Ok, that explains it

I wouldn't add those to a reef aquarium!

 

[CCauthers]

Yeah I would not add those to the aquarium, just in case they do turn out to be parasitic. They also could carry unknown pathogens or parasites of their own that your fish may not have defenses against.

 

[Rtorres508]

Yeah I would not add those to the aquarium, just in case they do turn out to be parasitic. They also could carry unknown pathogens or parasites of their own that your fish may not have defenses against.

Thanks for the info! I brought them over to the coney island aquarium and was told the same thing so I tossed them back into the ocean.