Isopod Lifecycle

[MusicTeach]

Good evening, Reefcentral!

When I purchased my rock (tbs - which, by the way, I am EXTREMELY pleased with!), it came with some isopods. I have seen a few smaller ones, and one medium sized one. I got all kinds of good things too, but for the purpose of this post, I'm curious about Isopods and their life cycle. (I have read http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/bp/index.php over and over and over again and I am sure I will read it again).

I purchased the rock during the second week of October. Although I've added corals into the tank since then, I have not added fish yet. I feed some goniopowder, phytofeast, and a teensy bit of frozen kill to the corals twice a week. Everything is 'spot' fed, although the powder and the feast are more of the "spray and hope something gets caught". The krill, specifically, is spot fed to my lps to keep them happy.

So, here's my question regarding isopods. I realize now that feeding krill does leave some meaty foods behind which is probably isopod food. Similarly, I have a handful of the porcelain crabs with their filter-feeder arms, and a couple of red mithrax that molt on occasion. This is also probably isopod food.

I have been trying to use the capture technique as mentioned in the above article, and have used it three times. The first time, I caught three little isopods. The second and third time I caught none.

So, since I haven't added fish.... is it possible to starve them? Or are they just in hibernation? At this point, I'm planning on getting a 'bait' fish (sad sad term) in March to try and catch what few remain. I read in this thread (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2511063 ) that they recommend a "Sailfin Molly."

I'm just looking out to see what all of your thoughts are. I am no expert, and I am always learning. I just want to do what's best for the tank, and as I hope to eventually get fish, what would be best for them as well. Thanks everyone!

 

[SAT]

When I got my Gulf rock, it came with several isopods, which caused me to lose some sleep. My experience was they tended to get caught in the plumbing and did not reproduce. By the time I added fish, they were gone.

 

[MusicTeach]

Thanks for the feedback!

Unfortunately, although I had three (four?) weeks without catching any isopods, I just caught two more

How long did you go before adding fish? My tank has been running since mid October.

 

[Drix]

Could be worse...

 

[MusicTeach]

Hahaha, you're right. They're not THAT bad. But I still would rather not have them... it makes fish just become really expensive isopod food.

 

[SAT]

How long did you go before adding fish? My tank has been running since mid October.

If I recall correctly (from 2003), I waited about 3 months. My first fish were a pair of flame cardinals, which are known to eat isopods.

 

[MurphyLong]

Every time I see pictures of them, I think of the movie "The Bay" where Isopods become insanely huge from a mutation caused by fertilizer runoff. I don't remember if the movie was any good though.

 

[Drix]

Every time I see pictures of them, I think of the movie "The Bay" where Isopods become insanely huge from a mutation caused by fertilizer runoff. I don't remember if the movie was any good though.

I bet it was as good as Night of the Leapus.

 

[MusicTeach]

Well, I'm about four months out at this point, and I'm still catching them. I'll probably give it another month or two before I attempt a fish or two. Thanks for the suggestion of the flame cardinal. Are there other fish that eat isopods? And, I guess an equally important question - did you see your fish eat the cirolanid isopods? Just want to make sure that they don't eat their way out of the fish :/

Thanks again for the help!