very tiny bugs on glass

crystalreef · 03-02-2004, 10:33 PM

I noticed, while looking at my glass up close, that I have 100's or maybe 1000's of little white critters that are averaging around the size of a grain of sand. I would think that they were just dust, but they seem to cling to the glass and move around like tadpoles. Kind of quick, start-stop motions. I cannot see any legs or tails, but the movements really seem like they are alive.

Any ideas what this could be???

BoomerD · 03-02-2004, 10:55 PM

Most likely just some of the various pods we strive to keep in our tanks. Most likely, they came with your live rock, or in some live sand.Good things to have, will provide fish food as your tank matures.

wooddood · 03-03-2004, 06:22 AM

i agree with boomer i too believe that they are a good sign.post a pic if you can so we can be sure.

beel · 03-03-2004, 06:57 AM

from what i experience these tiny bugs is kind of disturbing. They like to move around corals and when it does it will disturb da corals and their tentacles won't expand particularly on catalaphyllia.

caja · 03-03-2004, 10:18 AM

they're copepods. perfectly normal and a sign of a healthy tank. run a google search for more specific info.

mick77 · 03-03-2004, 11:30 AM

Hey caja, I have a ton of these little roly poly looking bugs. They are a little larger than a grain of sand as I can physiclly remove them off my filter pads with my fingers. I always just assumed they were copepods. Is my assumption right? My LFS said they were glass shrimp?

caja · 03-03-2004, 11:51 AM

those would be amphipods also good to have.

mick77 · 03-03-2004, 12:03 PM

Thanks for the identification!

03-02-2004, 10:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
crystalreef Tunicate Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 13 View Gallery Karma Komment	very tiny bugs on glass I noticed, while looking at my glass up close, that I have 100's or maybe 1000's of little white critters that are averaging around the size of a grain of sand. I would think that they were just dust, but they seem to cling to the glass and move around like tadpoles. Kind of quick, start-stop motions. I cannot see any legs or tails, but the movements really seem like they are alive. Any ideas what this could be???

03-03-2004, 06:22 AM	#3 (permalink)
wooddood the wood dude Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: CARMEL. INDIANA Posts: 3,450 View Gallery Karma Komment	i agree with boomer i too believe that they are a good sign.post a pic if you can so we can be sure. __________________ 120 gal/in wall tank/starboard substraight/2 250 watt 10k xm metal halides/ 4 55watt 03 actinics/150lbs lr/scwd on return/scwd on a closed loop/aquaclear aquatics 200 pro wetdry w/skimmer. ask all the questions you have if we cant answer it we'll make up some thing. remember patience is the key to a kick ass reef. dave.

03-03-2004, 06:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
beel Tunicate Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Currently i'm living in Australia for further study Posts: 13 View Gallery Karma Komment	from what i experience these tiny bugs is kind of disturbing. They like to move around corals and when it does it will disturb da corals and their tentacles won't expand particularly on catalaphyllia. __________________ beel!

03-03-2004, 11:30 AM	#6 (permalink)
mick77 Serpent Star Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 232 View Gallery Karma Komment	Hey caja, I have a ton of these little roly poly looking bugs. They are a little larger than a grain of sand as I can physiclly remove them off my filter pads with my fingers. I always just assumed they were copepods. Is my assumption right? My LFS said they were glass shrimp? __________________ A mollusk and a squid walk into a bar.........

03-03-2004, 12:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
mick77 Serpent Star Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 232 View Gallery Karma Komment	Thanks for the identification! __________________ A mollusk and a squid walk into a bar.........

03-02-2004, 10:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,637 View Gallery Karma Komment	Most likely just some of the various pods we strive to keep in our tanks. Most likely, they came with your live rock, or in some live sand.Good things to have, will provide fish food as your tank matures.

03-03-2004, 10:18 AM	#5 (permalink)
caja Cabbage Leather Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 371 View Gallery Karma Komment	they're copepods. perfectly normal and a sign of a healthy tank. run a google search for more specific info.

03-03-2004, 11:51 AM	#7 (permalink)
caja Cabbage Leather Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 371 View Gallery Karma Komment	those would be amphipods also good to have.

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