Pods - good or bad?

So I introduced three small coral frags today and also put some cheato into one chamber of my bio cube to turn it into a refugium. Now when I look in my tank I see little "bugs" crawling around. I can't tell if they're isopods or copepods because they're so small and not near the glass.

Do I have reason to worry? My understanding is if they have big black eyes they're isopods and are bad. I've got a firefish, a cleaner shrimp, a CUC, and a few small corals.

 

They could also be amphipods, imo, copepods are too small to see unless they're on the glass. all 3 (copepods amphipods, and isopods) are good, however there are a few parasitic isopods, but they rarely pop up in our aquariums.

More than likely, they're a good add to your CUC.

 

they are good.

 

Ok, that makes me less concerned. I'm guessing they snuck in with the cheato since it was in an active refugium when I got it. Maybe my firefish or cleaner shrimp will eat them? Or will they just clean up all the detrius around the tank?

I've read horror stories of them getting out of control and covering a tank and I surely don't want that.

 

They'll just clean up the detritus and provide a snack for your fish.

I've never heard of anyone having major issues with cope/amphipods. They're pretty much regailed as universally beneficial.

Nasty isopods do exist and occasionally show up as hitchikers, but are, IME, very rare.

 

Thanks for the help guys and gals. I pay pretty close attention to my tank and when I saw these little things crawling around I got a little concerned. I'll be happy about them now.

Now I just need to get rid of the real pests in the tank and I'll be happier. I swear every time I get rid of one bad thing something else pops up.

 

very good. I've been trying to establish pods in my tank for years and finally have them.

 

Good for the tank, plus free food for the fish and corals.

 

This is not entirely true of amphipods. They are a very efficient part of your CUC, but you need to keep an eye on them. They are opportunistic feeders, and will eat anything and everything that they can. Most of the time they cause no problems and are a great asset to have, unless their population goes unchecked.