isopods

[kjmst29]

A few days ago I noticed some funny looking, very small, clusetrs of dust/dirt in my gravel bed. Today I see funny looking, small bugs in my gravel bed. I'm hoping that dust wasn't eggs, cause there's a lot of it.

Anyway, read the page on isopods in Dr. Ron's book. If I indeed have isopods, am I totally screwed? They move FAST. And they jump like fleas.

If they are isopods, I do not want to tear down my entire tank. If I do, I won't be able to put it back up again ($$$ issue). What are my options?

I have a mandarin, I hope they eat them. I also have a cleaner shrimp and a UV (but i doubt they would get sucked into a 100 GPF powerhead).

Any help is greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[graveyardworm]

From your description I would say copepods. Here's a good article, and another , and one about isopods for further reference.

 

[kjmst29]

Great article. And after reading it, I definitly have isopods. Hopefully I have the peaceful species. I can't get a pic since they are so small and fast. My fish look ok, except for my hippo tang. She has pits in her, but I have always had problems with this fish, and Ithink she has HLLE. I already battled (and defeated) the ich.

UGH! I'll scour the tank tonight with a flashlight and look at the fish. The thought of parasites eating my fish makes me sick, especially with a UV I bought just for parasites!!!!