ID Help Needed. Copepods?

Reefer Stride 42 · 2026-07-29T16:18:45-0400

Hi, I need some help IDing these little white critters. I have been stocking copepods off and on for a couple months so I initially thought they had grown and settled in the tank however these things don’t seem to move like copepods based off of the videos I’ve seen. They are stationary, hang onto the rock work, and I never really see any of them moving. Apologies in advance for the picture quality and the green hair algea. I’ve been in a three month battle with that.

20260729_141701_0DEA708F-D47A-4D18-A678-B11D39144B9D.png

20260729_141701_45D0BAFD-C586-483E-AA6D-7431D71E015D.png

20260729_141701_E7B7B020-ACA9-4087-9FEC-99843445E858.png

20260729_141702_B7B51ADE-94B8-493F-AF44-D5DD883E54A1.png

20260729_141702_F4C7A8C4-1FC9-4A3C-92F1-F2849358D585.png

20260729_141702_52BFF8BD-1553-4517-BB40-7394783D3EDB.png

Privateye · 2026-07-29T16:29:36-0400

They look like sponges to me, especially the ones with the rounder base. Growing in the shade is common for sponges. Assuming my ID is correct (it might be worth pulling one out to feel and examine it) then they're good guys. No need to intervene. They filter-feed.

Reefer Stride 42 · 2026-07-29T16:30:16-0400

Privateye said:
They look like sponges to me, especially the ones with the rounder base. Growing in the shade is common for sponges. Assuming my ID is correct (it might be worth pulling one out to feel and examine it) then they're good guys. No need to intervene. They filter-feed.

Oh awesome, thank you for your help!