copods?

what are they? are they good for a tank?

 

They are small crustaceans that are a sign of a healthy tank that some fish use as a food source. Like Mandarins, some wrasses and long nose hawkfish among others. They look like small shrimp or ants, 1-3mm.

 

Need more copods?

What's the best way to get more copods? I want to make sure my mandarin get's lots to eat. He seems very happy but I cant see any copods in my tank I just see him picking them off the rock. He's been in the tank for 5 months now so I think he's OK just want to make sure.

 

Keep a close eye on the little guy. They can easily outgrow your tank's pod production. --- watch for shrunken belly or obvious loss of weight. --- lots of things he is eating will be too small for you to see.

Otherwise, not to worry.

 

Thanks Omard, Good Info.

 

im pretty sure this is a copepod my (scotter blenny)dragontte eats them all day.

 

Yep, that's the critter and a good size one too. I can't find them in my tank but I guess my mandarin can!!

 

Do you run a fuge bulltrader? That's a good way to get some more copods as well as providing more filtration for your tank...

 

Check your tank glass after the lights have been out for a few hours. I'll bet you have more copepods than you think you do

 

can they get pretty big? in the mornings before work i look at the tank with lights off and sometimes i see a snail looking thing on the glass that is about 1/2" long no shell though. He's got a few smaller buddy's aswell all over the glass. I figure they just munching algea so their ok.