Reef Pods

I bought some reef pods to put in my refug. They came in a little bag with green water. I dumped the water into my refug. Of coarse they are so small you can't see them. well last night I was looking at the refug and saw what looked like a tiny flea scoot across the sand. I thought what in the world was that. I got the flashlight and could several tiny bugs scooting around on the sand. Tiny little things, pretty fast too. Is this the reef pods? I have never had them before. They sure are weid looking. Thanks

 

ya those are reef pods or more specifically copepods, isopods and amphipods

 

the reef pods is a particular species of (spelling alert) harcoptic copepod, Tisbe sp. here is a good pic:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copepod

but they are sideways on the sand. wait a few weeks while the population develops, and then look at the tank with the pumps off for 15 minutes or so. Will see a bunch on the glass. Other than that you kind have to have a magnifying glass or something. Copepods, as opposed to say amphipods, are tiny.

 

John I bought the pods from you, but I swear they look like little fleas. I can see them scooting across the sand four or five feet away, in other words the refug is on the floor and I can see them while standing upright. Its been about a month and a half or two months sence I put them in there.

 

they may be amphipods... they are a tiny type of shrimp.
Still part of the beneficial fauna and a great snack for your fish

copepods are there but they are just really hard to see because they are sooo small