Cirolanid Isopod Life Cycle

[CuzzA]

That's a very interesting idea, thanks! My only concern is what if an isopod got a good meal and dropped off and got away-it'd then probably have the energy to reproduce.
I wonder how long an isopod hangs onto a fish?

Maybe Prazi or another chemical would make isopods release. That's probably easier on the fish than manually picking. It wouldn't be all that much work to set up a 10 gal recovery tank. Then you could have two groups of 3 or 4 fish to alternate.

Freshwater dip the fish and I bet they jump right off.

 

[salty joe]

Cuzza, you're an idea man!

 

[CuzzA]

Thanks joe. Reefing = problem solving. Endless problem solving. Lol

Don't forget to match ph and temp for the freshwater.

 

[adamwheel]

I went back to the traps (mentioned in the article) last night and got 3. One was 7-8 mm.

I previously had little success with them but chose a new location. I think an area with less flow might help the Isopods to pinpoint the stinky shrimp's location and get in the trap.

Setting again tonight.

Happy hunting,

Adam

 

[Jiinx]

How goes it? Have you seen any more of them lately?

 

[salty joe]

Finally got around to putting a molly in a rigid plastic mesh cage. I put it in the tank around nightfall and removed around 2 AM. No sign of isopods. Molly seems no worse for the wear-it is back in its 10 gallon and eating this morning.

I removed the cage before morning because I was afraid isopods might get a full belly and drop off, then breed. Does that timing make sense?

 

[similacbreath13]

I'm interested in seeing your results I'm rooting for ya hopefully you get success soon sounds like your jumping thru a lot of hoops

 

[salty joe]

I put the caged molly back in last night and retrieved it at 3 AM. Again, no isopods-I just hope it's not a false negative. I might try again tonight with most of the pumps turned off. Anything in there has to be hungry-I have not fed the tank for over 7 weeks when I added the live rock.

 

[billsreef]

Try waiting till just an hour before normal lights on

 

[salty joe]

Do you mean put the molly in at nightfall and retrieve just before dawn? The tank is sunlit. Would that be to allow 2-3 more hours for any isopods to find the molly?

Last night the pumps were turned off-still no sign of isopods. I gave the molly a 7 minute freshwater dip to be sure. Fingers crossed.

 

[billsreef]

Yup, put the Molly in before nightfall, and retrieve just before dawn. That extra couple of hours just might make a difference.

 

[salty joe]

Good call Bill. I left the molly all night and still no isopods. This gives me a little more confidence...Now to set the crab trap.

 

[adamwheel]

I've had fish back in my display for several weeks now and am more confident daily that they're all gone. The traps became my greatest weapon as their population decreased.

Prior, I was netting them at 3:00 a.m. Daily.

Good luck guys and I will be happy to help if I can.

Adam

 

[salty joe]

Thanks! Great to hear!

 

[Spanky05]

It's looking like I have some of these critters. Netted out about 6 last night and they look very similar to the pictures I have seen.

Did you lure them with the "stinky water" or just make the trap with the small hole in the water bottle lid and place a shrimp in the bottom?

Thanks for your help.