What are the little bugs in my tank?

[paigee3314]

Hello, I have not been in the hobby for that long but I do know a good bit. I just recently noticed these little tiny bugs everywhere in my tank and I don’t know what they are. I have 5 different kinds of zoas in my tank but they seem to really like the one in the picture I’ve attached, they swarm it to the point it stays closed most of the time. They also really like my gsp to the point where it stays mostly closed as well, which is also a picture I’ve attached. They’re not only on the corals though, they’re spread out everywhere in the tank. I was thinking it’s just a bunch of little snails but they moved very fast as if they’re walking, could it be amphipods? If so, is it bad to have that big of an explosion with them? The tank is a 14 gallon, I haven’t had any fish in there for a good while now. Is there any fish or shrimp that would help that I could add and it would be okay in the size aquarium that I have?

 

[littlefoxx]

Probably pods. Not sure what kind but pod are good! Someone else may be able to tell you what kind of pods

 

[Goaway]

Could be ostracods (seed shrimp) difficult to say

 

[Sleeping Giant]

are you able to blow them off with a turkey baster?

 

[Steve2020]

looks like collonista snails.

 

[bushdoc]

So many opinions!
I am leaning towards Ostracods, not only because of the shape but also description of fast movement.

 

[slingfox]

I don't think those are pods. To get a more reliable ID you should try to get a picture of them under a magnifying glass or microscope.

 

[Steve2020]

looks like collonista snails.

Never mind. I missed the part you sad they move fast. Deffinantly not collonista snails if fast moving.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Yeah, I think some magnified/microscope pics would be helpful here.

 

[paigee3314]

I don't think those are pods. To get a more reliable ID you should try to get a picture of them under a magnifying glass or microscope.

This is the best picture I could get up close.

 

[paigee3314]

So many opinions!
I am leaning towards Ostracods, not only because of the shape but also description of fast movement.

This is an up close picture of it, I also just realized yesterday that there are thousands and thousands of them in my sponge filter. I don’t know what to do, are they good or bad?

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

This is an up close picture of it, I also just realized yesterday that there are thousands and thousands of them in my sponge filter. I don’t know what to do, are they good or bad?

Yeah, looks like ostracods - they should be harmless/beneficial (I basically just think of them as another kind of "pod").