Are Copepods Visible?

ReefSparky · 12-17-2007, 06:03 PM

When I purchased chaeto for the first time a couple of weeks ago, it was green and bright, looking almost like green plastic monofilament fishing line. It's in my newly made refugium, under a spiral compact flourescent daylight bulb. The light is lit overnight when the main tank's light is out.

I've read chaeto is a harboring agent for copepods, and I've noticed my chaeto has changed appearance somewhat. It now appears almost dusty, with white/yellowish grains or specs that cover each strand individually. It is no less green, but the green almost appears to be masked by the white/yellow discoloration.

I'm wondering if this is copepods. I know copepods are nearly microscopic, and I have no evidence that I now have them since purchasing the chaeto.

So is this textural/coloration change normal? Good? Bad? Healthy?

tbittner · 12-17-2007, 06:04 PM

I'm anxiously awaiting the answer to this one too!

Whiskey · 12-17-2007, 06:09 PM

Hello again!

I'm not sure about the texture change, but Pods are visable,.. they rather look like little bugs running around in the Cheto,. The best thing to do is bust out a flashlight when the fuge lights are off, they mainly hide when the light is on IME.

Whiskey

caitrina · 12-17-2007, 06:14 PM

After having my tank set up for well over a year I finally saw pods for the first time about a month ago. When I was at the LFS the last time I complained that I couldn't see the things and didn't know just how my pod supply was and they showed them to me in a bottle of pods. Very tiny little guys.

boozeman · 12-17-2007, 06:17 PM

what you are noticing is detritus...copepods look like lil fleas scooting around

mps9506 · 12-17-2007, 06:37 PM

And just to chime in copepods are between 1mm-several mm in length.

But as mentioned above it sounds like you are getting some detritus build up in your chaeto. Carefully take it out and shake it off in a bucket of SW.

hma · 12-17-2007, 07:08 PM

Hi all,

to the animals to us as a Copepoden are known, belong different animals. So, among the rest, Brachionus plicatilis, Euplotes, Calanoida and others. A total of approx. 250 different kinds. The most of this "Copepoden" or Pod's, are microscopic small. There are animals under 10 µm, other are 150 µm or greater. With your eyes visible ones are Brachionus Nauplien ore

Brachionus plicatilis. (ca. 150µm)

Brachionus Nauplie (ca. 200µm)

Euplotes (under 10µm)

Calanoida (ca. 100µm)

JFK_Jr · 12-17-2007, 07:18 PM

Besides copeopods, I have many amphipods in my reef... especially in my sump.

Dude... imagine running into this thing... it's a giant isopod.

Bathynomus giganteus

BigAl07 · 12-17-2007, 07:24 PM

Excellent replies All!

Yes Pods (at least the larger ones ) are very visible. Don't worry about not seeing them. They will come with tank maturity and stability. If you concentrate on maintaining a high quality tank the pods will come. In fact I had so many at one time I was worried that I was OVER-podded. Then I learned that their population will rise and fall with tank conditions. As more food is available their numbers will increase. As the food supply diminishes (possibly through better feeding practices) their numbers will do the same. Honestly PODS is something you only really "Worry" about if you have something that is pod-reliant as a food source... Like a mandarin to some blennies.

good luck and happy Reefing

boozeman · 12-17-2007, 07:27 PM

those giant isopods are parasitic

ninjataco777 · 12-17-2007, 07:30 PM

DUDE i typed in copepod on google and that came up, a giant isopod! i want one!

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFK_Jr

Besides copeopods, I have many amphipods in my reef... especially in my sump.

Dude... imagine running into this thing... it's a giant isopod.

Bathynomus giganteus

JFK_Jr · 12-17-2007, 07:34 PM

Just picture it latching on to your wetsuit and burrowing in to your abdomen!

boozeman · 12-17-2007, 07:37 PM

heres a gross one... this parasitic isopod latches on to a fishes tongue, replacing it as it slowly feeds off it.

Frankie · 12-17-2007, 07:40 PM

Thats just sick. LOL!
I know a few people id like to stick it under their bed covers.

BigAl07 · 12-17-2007, 07:40 PM

It's funny but a common bug in these parts is related to that parasite.. the common would louse is a terrestrial cousin to those GIANTS!! Who would have thought?

12-17-2007, 06:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
ReefSparky Fire Coral Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: South Florida Posts: 60 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Are Copepods Visible? When I purchased chaeto for the first time a couple of weeks ago, it was green and bright, looking almost like green plastic monofilament fishing line. It's in my newly made refugium, under a spiral compact flourescent daylight bulb. The light is lit overnight when the main tank's light is out. I've read chaeto is a harboring agent for copepods, and I've noticed my chaeto has changed appearance somewhat. It now appears almost dusty, with white/yellowish grains or specs that cover each strand individually. It is no less green, but the green almost appears to be masked by the white/yellow discoloration. I'm wondering if this is copepods. I know copepods are nearly microscopic, and I have no evidence that I now have them since purchasing the chaeto. So is this textural/coloration change normal? Good? Bad? Healthy? __________________ 90G display tank. Kent Phos Reactor running carbon and ROWAPhos, Coralife 225 Skimmer. Wet/Dry converted to 10 Gal Sump w/ auto topoff float valve connected to Typhoon 5 Stage RO/DI. Little Giant inline (external) return pump. Coralife 2x250MH, 20K + 2x96W PC Actinics, Ecotech Vortech propeller pump, Hydor Koralia #2, and #4.

12-17-2007, 06:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
tbittner Watch this Ma! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 5,563 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Are Copepods Visible? I'm anxiously awaiting the answer to this one too! __________________ Terry 150g predator tank full of killers. Soon to be upgraded to a 360g. 450g reef 300g sump.

12-17-2007, 06:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
Whiskey Just some guy, you know? Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 850 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Are Copepods Visible? Hello again! I'm not sure about the texture change, but Pods are visable,.. they rather look like little bugs running around in the Cheto,. The best thing to do is bust out a flashlight when the fuge lights are off, they mainly hide when the light is on IME. Whiskey __________________ I'm the guy that ruined it for everyone. I say, what occurs to me to say, when it occurs to me to say it, much more I cannot say. Stop by and welcome me to RS,.. this takes you direct to my new pics: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...tml#post356787

12-17-2007, 06:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
caitrina Golden Moray Join Date: May 2007 Location: Somewhere in Florida Posts: 2,700 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Are Copepods Visible? After having my tank set up for well over a year I finally saw pods for the first time about a month ago. When I was at the LFS the last time I complained that I couldn't see the things and didn't know just how my pod supply was and they showed them to me in a bottle of pods. Very tiny little guys. __________________ A reef tank is like a potato chip, you can't have just one! Chronicles Cat's Healing Gift: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ling-gift.html Cat’s 90 Gallon Toy: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...allon-toy.html 24 G Mystery Pod: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...stery-pod.html

12-17-2007, 06:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
boozeman The CodFather ~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: new york Posts: 8,802 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Are Copepods Visible? what you are noticing is detritus...copepods look like lil fleas scooting around __________________ ...and when I'm old and wise little things mean little to me like autumn winds they'll blow right through me and someday, in the mist of time when they ask you if you knew me remember that you were a friend of mine

12-17-2007, 06:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
mps9506 Totally back Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 8,525 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Are Copepods Visible? And just to chime in copepods are between 1mm-several mm in length. But as mentioned above it sounds like you are getting some detritus build up in your chaeto. Carefully take it out and shake it off in a bucket of SW. __________________ Mike Reefkeeping Since '99 Help Build Reefpedia Premium Memberships Available! Support Reef Sanctuary Sponsors

12-17-2007, 07:08 PM	#7 (permalink)
hma Golden Moray Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Frankfurt, Germany Posts: 2,653 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Are Copepods Visible? Hi all, to the animals to us as a Copepoden are known, belong different animals. So, among the rest, Brachionus plicatilis, Euplotes, Calanoida and others. A total of approx. 250 different kinds. The most of this "Copepoden" or Pod's, are microscopic small. There are animals under 10 µm, other are 150 µm or greater. With your eyes visible ones are Brachionus Nauplien ore Brachionus plicatilis. (ca. 150µm) Brachionus Nauplie (ca. 200µm) Euplotes (under 10µm) Calanoida (ca. 100µm) __________________ Heinz If you have a great hurry, go slowly. The secret of a successful reef-keeping is balance. Instead of doing everything faster, do everything at the right speed. The Seawater Encyclopaedia Brown Jelly Treatment The Balling Method My Chronicle and www.reefdreams.de as well as mobile.reefdreams.de

12-17-2007, 07:18 PM	#8 (permalink)
JFK_Jr Golden Moray Join Date: May 2006 Location: Hallandale Beach FL Posts: 2,108 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Are Copepods Visible? Besides copeopods, I have many amphipods in my reef... especially in my sump. Dude... imagine running into this thing... it's a giant isopod. Bathynomus giganteus __________________ *JFK_Jr's 150 Gallon Starphire*

12-17-2007, 07:24 PM	#9 (permalink)
BigAl07 Do I look as lost as I am Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 21,549 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Are Copepods Visible? Excellent replies All! Yes Pods (at least the larger ones ) are very visible. Don't worry about not seeing them. They will come with tank maturity and stability. If you concentrate on maintaining a high quality tank the pods will come. In fact I had so many at one time I was worried that I was OVER-podded. Then I learned that their population will rise and fall with tank conditions. As more food is available their numbers will increase. As the food supply diminishes (possibly through better feeding practices) their numbers will do the same. Honestly PODS is something you only really "Worry" about if you have something that is pod-reliant as a food source... Like a mandarin to some blennies. good luck and happy Reefing __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ *Live Rock Rubble will do the SAME thing as Bio-Balls and is NOT a suitable replacement for BIO-BALLS in a Reef System! It's ALL gotta go!!* Nitrate (NO3) reduction is directly proportional to percentage of Water Change. Allen's home-made formula...currentNO3-((%WC.01)currentNO3)=finalNO3 (thanks Luukosian) This means if you change 50% of your total water volume (That's EVERYTHING) you'll get a net reduction of (NO3) somewhere around 50%. Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube Gone but not forgotten BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef

12-17-2007, 07:27 PM	#10 (permalink)
boozeman The CodFather ~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: new york Posts: 8,802 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Are Copepods Visible? those giant isopods are parasitic __________________ ...and when I'm old and wise little things mean little to me like autumn winds they'll blow right through me and someday, in the mist of time when they ask you if you knew me remember that you were a friend of mine

12-17-2007, 07:34 PM	#12 (permalink)
JFK_Jr Golden Moray Join Date: May 2006 Location: Hallandale Beach FL Posts: 2,108 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Are Copepods Visible? Just picture it latching on to your wetsuit and burrowing in to your abdomen! __________________ *JFK_Jr's 150 Gallon Starphire*

12-17-2007, 07:37 PM	#13 (permalink)
boozeman The CodFather ~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: new york Posts: 8,802 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Are Copepods Visible? heres a gross one... this parasitic isopod latches on to a fishes tongue, replacing it as it slowly feeds off it. __________________ ...and when I'm old and wise little things mean little to me like autumn winds they'll blow right through me and someday, in the mist of time when they ask you if you knew me remember that you were a friend of mine Last edited by boozeman : 06-17-2008 at 05:41 AM.

12-17-2007, 07:40 PM	#15 (permalink)
BigAl07 Do I look as lost as I am Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 21,549 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Are Copepods Visible? It's funny but a common bug in these parts is related to that parasite.. the common would louse is a terrestrial cousin to those GIANTS!! Who would have thought? __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ *Live Rock Rubble will do the SAME thing as Bio-Balls and is NOT a suitable replacement for BIO-BALLS in a Reef System! It's ALL gotta go!!* Nitrate (NO3) reduction is directly proportional to percentage of Water Change. Allen's home-made formula...currentNO3-((%WC.01)currentNO3)=finalNO3 (thanks Luukosian) This means if you change 50% of your total water volume (That's EVERYTHING) you'll get a net reduction of (NO3) somewhere around 50%. Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube Gone but not forgotten BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef

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