Difference between Isopods and Amphipods

gussy · 03-02-2005, 10:56 PM

Is there a visual way to tell Isopods and Amphipods from each other? I starting to see lots of sea lice looking like things crawling all over the tank, but they seem to be too small to be sea lice. The sea lice that I've seen are usually the same size as a rolly polly bug, but these are about the size of black ants and move as quick. I'm getting an infestation of them.

mps9506 · 03-02-2005, 11:07 PM

If you had any type of isopods to worry about they would have already infested any fish in your tank and reduced them to disfigurement by now.
Most likely copepods running all over your tanks glass and rocks.

gussy · 03-03-2005, 01:51 AM

I thought isopods only attack weak fish? The largest on that I saw yesterday is the size of a small rolly polly but the rest are small. They are crawling all over the rocks and will compete with the shrimps and hermits for the small pellets that I drop. There are so many of them all over the rocks that it kinda gross.

Gina · 03-03-2005, 06:23 AM

Gussy,
Have you tried our knowledgebase? I checked there earlier and found some pics that may help you identify what your seeing.

NaH2O · 03-03-2005, 07:43 AM

Here are a couple of articles for you. Hope these help with identification!

This article shows the difference between several species of Isopods, and talks specifically about them:
Pills, Parasites, Predators: Isopods in the Reef Aquarium

This is a new article by Adelaide Rhodes, and shows the difference between amphipods and copepods:
'Pods, Delicious and Nutritious

Finally, an article about copepods:
Bitty Bugs: Copepods in the Reef Aquarium

FishyinKY · 03-03-2005, 08:30 AM

Great Articles Nikki thanks so much for sharing them.

Mac

gussy · 03-03-2005, 12:44 PM

Thanks! I did check the knowledge base. They are tiny so it's hard to tell as they all look the same to me. What I'm sure of is that they are not Cirolanid, as I saw a big fat Cirolanid in a new box of transshiped Fiji live rocks that I got yesterday. They are also nothing like the what Dr. Rhodes sells.

I could stick my hands in there and wait for half an hour to see if something bites me!

03-02-2005, 10:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
gussy Torch coral Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 579 View Gallery Karma Komment	Difference between Isopods and Amphipods Is there a visual way to tell Isopods and Amphipods from each other? I starting to see lots of sea lice looking like things crawling all over the tank, but they seem to be too small to be sea lice. The sea lice that I've seen are usually the same size as a rolly polly bug, but these are about the size of black ants and move as quick. I'm getting an infestation of them.

03-02-2005, 11:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
mps9506 They misunderestimated me Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 7,013 View Gallery Karma Komment	If you had any type of isopods to worry about they would have already infested any fish in your tank and reduced them to disfigurement by now. Most likely copepods running all over your tanks glass and rocks. __________________ Mike "The Bandwith Bandit" Help Build Reefpedia Premium Membership Available! Support Reef Sanctuary Sponsors

03-03-2005, 06:23 AM	#4 (permalink)
Gina Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,764 View Gallery Karma Komment	Gussy, Have you tried our knowledgebase? I checked there earlier and found some pics that may help you identify what your seeing. __________________ Gina and Mark's 75 Visit Our Sponsors Gina's Cube Gina

03-03-2005, 07:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
NaH2O Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 1,928 View Gallery Karma Komment	Here are a couple of articles for you. Hope these help with identification! This article shows the difference between several species of Isopods, and talks specifically about them: Pills, Parasites, Predators: Isopods in the Reef Aquarium This is a new article by Adelaide Rhodes, and shows the difference between amphipods and copepods: 'Pods, Delicious and Nutritious Finally, an article about copepods: Bitty Bugs: Copepods in the Reef Aquarium __________________ ~Nikki~

03-03-2005, 08:30 AM	#6 (permalink)
FishyinKY Tubeworm Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 30 View Gallery Karma Komment	Great Articles Nikki thanks so much for sharing them. Mac __________________ ~ FRAGEXCHANGE ~

03-03-2005, 01:51 AM	#3 (permalink)
gussy Torch coral Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 579 View Gallery Karma Komment	I thought isopods only attack weak fish? The largest on that I saw yesterday is the size of a small rolly polly but the rest are small. They are crawling all over the rocks and will compete with the shrimps and hermits for the small pellets that I drop. There are so many of them all over the rocks that it kinda gross.

03-03-2005, 12:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
gussy Torch coral Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 579 View Gallery Karma Komment	Thanks! I did check the knowledge base. They are tiny so it's hard to tell as they all look the same to me. What I'm sure of is that they are not Cirolanid, as I saw a big fat Cirolanid in a new box of transshiped Fiji live rocks that I got yesterday. They are also nothing like the what Dr. Rhodes sells. I could stick my hands in there and wait for half an hour to see if something bites me!

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