Hitchhiker ID Questions

[JusJim]

I was looking around tonight with a magnifying glass and on the front glass of my tank, I have some very tiny white dots. When looking closer they have 8 very thin "legs" protruding in all directions.

Two of the "legs" that protrude on opposite sides (for instance at 12 O'clock and 6 O'clock) are longer than all of the other. Then the two that protrude at 3 O'clock and 9 O'clock are a bit shorter, then the other 4 which are between those 4 are the shortest of all.

Any ideas what they may be? Good or bad?

Also, I'm starting to see more and more very tiny snails. How do I tell if these are good or beneficial snails?

 

[mystikdragon7]

Sounds like amphipods, very good to have. But can't totally be positive without a pic.

 

[Paintbug]

sounds like hydroid jellyfish. new tank? they are common. they will have a population bloom then just disappear from the tank. they wont harm anything.

heres a page with some common hitchhikers. snails included. http://www.xtalworld.com/Aquarium/hitchfaq.htm

without a pic its hard to ID a snail. but most tiny snails are often Collonista snails. heres some more info on snails http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rs/index.php

 

[JusJim]

Paintbug, yes it is a new tank. I found a photo of a hydroid jellyfish, and that is definitely what it is. Thank you for the info.

 

[Paintbug]

no problem