Tiny white things that scoot around? Copepods?

Discussion in 'ID This!' started by =Jwin=, Dec 11, 2008.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. =Jwin=

    =Jwin= Tassled File Fish

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2008
    Messages:
    1,968
    Location:
    Chattanooga, Tennessee
    Well we have PLENTY of tiny white specs that scoot around on the glass and rock, they "emerged" or we first noticed them today. Tank is 3 weeks old now. I'm thinking they are copepods...but I'm not entirely sure. I didn't think copepods were so small, but having never seen them before in my life. I don't know. They're little white specs with what looks like two antennae and a one "tail". And there's quite a number of them.

    Copepods?

    And we have plenty of those spiriodal worms or whatever they are called. The little white things that are spiral shaped. Good thing? AND the hair algae is going away. Which is great. It was probably our first water change, the CUC, and the tank finishing cycling that did it. We only had a mini cycle thanks to LFS water and LFS display tank rock. It was more of "moving" an established system instead of starting one, except for the sand and the virgin tank and filter.

    Going in this weekend to look/pick up a skimmer, and hopefully bring home a new critter as well.
     
    =Jwin=, Dec 11, 2008
    =Jwin=, Dec 11, 2008
    #1

    2. Click Here!

  2. ReefSparky

    ReefSparky Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2007
    Messages:
    3,675
    Location:
    South Florida
    Your description sounds like copepods, although they could be amphipods or isopods depending on some particulars. Spirorbid worms exhibit a nautilus shell-like housing, and without a magnifying glass, it's difficult to see the feathery head, but if you have them, you'll soon have more. :)

    What's best is the abatement of the hair algae.

    Looks like you're on your way.

    Good luck!! :)
     
    ReefSparky, Dec 11, 2008
    ReefSparky, Dec 11, 2008
    #2
  3. =Jwin=

    =Jwin= Tassled File Fish

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2008
    Messages:
    1,968
    Location:
    Chattanooga, Tennessee
    Thanks! And we definately "soon had more." We've had several spirorbids ever since we got the liverock...but recently they have EXPLODED everywhere. On the rock. On the glass. On the fish...wait...no not the fish :D

    Everything just seems to be enjoying life. My Harlequin Brittle Star was holed up in a rock for 4 days (we had 2 pep shrimp die after shipping...so he was probably digesting) and now we see his arms flicker out of the rocks every feeding time. Along with the zombie like emergence of the Nassarius snails, and the clownfish being little pigs when 4 oclock (feeding time) hits. I also think we have a peanut worm...and we have at least 3 really small, young hitchhiker brittle stars. About the diameter of a quarter. Life's good:thumbs_up
     
    =Jwin=, Dec 11, 2008
    =Jwin=, Dec 11, 2008
    #3