Are these white specs copepods? (pics)

[Gracekain]

I am new to the saltwater scene, and I have revisited this forum time to time, and I am amazed at the mass collection of knowledge here. Because of the vast amount of experience here, I never found the need to register. But now I have a specific question about my tank.

About a week ago these white spots showed up in my tank, and I want to make sure that this is normal and not something I should worry about.

https://imgur.com/a/4NTPa
(can't believe my phone took such close pictures)

The Anemone in my tank seems to be under some kind of stress. It is not opening up all the way like is used to. It is still eating fine, but I just think it is aware of the infestation and holding back some.

The other Inhabitants do not show signs of stress or infection.

On a side note: Two weeks ago I had an explosion of Marine Diatoms. I removed some of the rocks, brushed off the diatoms in a bucket with tank water, brushed the other rocks that I could not remove in the tank itself and installed a more fine filter media in my HOB filters to filter out the loose Diatoms. My clean up crew took care of the stragglers. My tank is now "visibly" Diatom free.

Tank: 75 gals 2 HOB Fillers with Protein skimmer (no sump yet) Heater and one powerhead

Red and green algae are starting to appear on the rocks closest to the light.

Chemical parameters are perfect as of last night.

Inhabitants:
2 Juvenile green spotted puffers
2 Juvenile clownfish
1 Colored Tipped Haitian Reef Anemone (Condylactis sp.)
50+ hermits
10+ snails

 

[mcgyvr]

yes copepods..
For future reference here is a good site to identify many of the common "critters" that pop up in our tanks..
https://www.lionfishlair.com/hitchhikers-guide/

 

[SAT]

Gracekain,

[welcome]

Yes, those look like copepods, which are almost always beneficial. It is highly unlikely they will affect your anemone.

Condy anemones may be easier to keep than various "host" species, but are still not easy for a beginner. They need a lot of light (they are typically collected in shallow water), excellent water quality, and they love a good current that they can stick their tentacles into. Generally speaking, anemones should not be added to a newly set up aquarium.

What have you been feeding it? Does it accept food?

What sort of light do you have on the anemone? Have you been testing for ammonia, nitrate, phosphate, and alkalinity?

 

[sde1500]

Definitely copepods, definitely a good sign to have them.

 

[Gracekain]

What sort of light do you have on the anemone? Have you been testing for ammonia, nitrate, phosphate, and alkalinity?

Not alkalinity.... Didn't come with my tester. unless you mean PH lol.

 

[Gracekain]

Condy anemones may be easier to keep than various "host" species but are still not easy for a beginner. They need a lot of light (they are typically collected in shallow water), excellent water quality, and they love a good current that they can stick their tentacles into. Generally speaking, anemones should not be added to a newly set up aquarium.

What have you been feeding it? Does it accept food?

I tried feeding it pieces of silversides but it would regurgitate 1/2 digested parts, so I just figured I was feeding him too large of a piece. So I live in southern Louisiana, and I can get my hands on cheap fresh gulf shrimp, I will stick a chunk of shrimp in my forceps and hang the forceps in the tank, and the puffers seem to enjoy showing off chunks of the shrimp and the clownfish nibble on it also. So I will give it a piece to the anemony every two/three days or so and it seems to like it. The anemone appears to be doing fine today. He opened up wide, and I just assume he was freaked out because he moved to another location and stayed closed up 1/2 way for a day.

The lighting I purchased is the Current Loop Pro system that includes 2 48 inch LED lights https://current-usa.com/loop/meet-loop/

 

[SAT]

Not alkalinity.... Didn't come with my tester. unless you mean PH lol.

Nope... Alkalinity is more useful than pH. It indicates the buffering capacity of the water. Alkalinity is something you can reasonable manage... pH is affected by too many factors that are outside your control.

 

[Gracekain]

Nope... Alkalinity is more useful than pH. It indicates the buffering capacity of the water. Alkalinity is something you can reasonable manage... pH is affected by too many factors that are outside your control.

As in

https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Aqu...1511998833&sr=8-10&keywords=Alkalinity+tester

This?

 

[SAT]

No, that's pH. Alkalinity kits typically use titration, like this:
https://www.marinedepot.com/Salifer...ater_Aquariums-Salifert-SF1123-FITKAL-vi.html

 

[SereneAquatic]

Gracekain, I've been watching the BRS videos (I'm just getting started) and this video that I just watched yesterday was really helpful for me. I didn't get what alkalinity was for either. I highly recommend it. (This whole series of videos is great)

https://youtu.be/Keu12vKZNXM

 

[SereneAquatic]

Here's the long link in case you are like me and get suspicious of the short ones LOL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Keu12vKZNXM&index=29&list=PLBaMLrfToJyybUT18OE3fMomFb9XU0ffC