I noticed the other day some bug looking critters crawling around on a rock in my tank. They are so small that I don't think they will appear in a picture. They appear slightly white (almost clear) with multiple sets of legs coming from their bodies. I think they look slightly like a tiny termite. I haven't seen them crawling or eating any of my softies but I am concerned. I haven't had any additions to my tank in over 6 months so it's strange that they just came out of nowhere. Should I be concerned or have to treat my live rock to get rid of them?
Bug looking critters in Tank
- Thread starter warden13
- Start date
JetCat USA
In Memoriam
most likely 'pods' you should have seen them many many times if you've been keeping tanks for any length of time at all.
Capt_Cully
Active member
agree. probably copepods, which are good. there are many fish species that love to eat them, particularly mandarins and psychadelic fish.
it's a sign that you're on the right track to a stable tank. they've probably been there the whole time, it's just that now they are at a population where it's noticeable.
it's a sign that you're on the right track to a stable tank. they've probably been there the whole time, it's just that now they are at a population where it's noticeable.
JimKelly12203
New member
Yeah they're very good to have. Their population should find some sort of equilibrium based on the available food, but if you get a mandarin now it will live a very happy life in your tank.
Do 'pods' look more like a bug or a tiny shrimp? Previously, I had these tiny looking shrimp things swimming all around my live rock. I remember someone telling me they are good for the tank because some fish eat them. Unfortunately, I had a salinity problem and I haven't seen many of the tiny shrimp swimming around. Now I see more of these tiny bugs. Any other comments or confirmations?
JetCat USA
In Memoriam
the reason i put ' ' around pods is it's a general term used in this hobby, it means anything from amphipods, copepods, isopods.......and they can be shrimp like to beetle bug like.
Jonnyacrofeed
New member
amphipods are probably what you are referring to when you say that they look like shrimp.
