Chaeto Copepods?

[EvMiBo]

So I got my chaeto ball (about softball size) ~7 weeks ago and at first it was crawling with small copepods. It was given to me at a local meeting. I just wanted to make sure that these are what I think they are, huge copepods. There are more in the sand, and all seem to have what I think is their head in the sand or the chaeto pictured. Also, the big ones don't move (dead?), but there are still small ones crawling around.

Let me know what you all think.

 

[dwd5813]

looks like those sponges i see growing all over a few of my rocks.

 

[LockeOak]

The only objects I see are Scypha (?) sponges.

 

[ludnix]

They are definitely not copepods. Copepods are absolutely tiny and almost impossible to see unless they are on your class. The more common larger pod is the Amphipod, which usually darker than what your seeing and very active.

What you're seeing are Scypha sponges, which are also sometimes called sea squirts. They are harmless, however I would try pulling apart that ball of chaeto to get some better growth.

 

[EvMiBo]

thanks everyone, thats definitely them.