No LR in the tank... so how'd I end up with them???

[ozmatoz]

Ok, so I am a new and I need some help... that said...

My tank has been running for about 12 months I had 3 Blue Green Chromis and a Clown and some snails. I have no live rock and I did not take anything from another tank. About 2 months ago my smallest Chromis vanished. Tonight something caught my eye on the bottom of the tank, about 5/8 inch long very opaque almost clear.. looks like a mantis. I stirred up the substrate of my tank a little and noticed a few smaller ones as well. The last addition to the tank was the snails about 6 months ago. The snails are dead... but that was my fault for not keeping an eye on the water quality.

Can the larvea hitch a ride in on fish or snails??

I am very confused as to where they came from... Anyone out there with some wisdom to throw at me?

 

[opihi]

taking a leap here without seeing a pic, but did they look like any of these:

http://images.google.com/images?q=amphipod

 

[crafty_50mitchell]

They are going to be amphipods, they most likely got into your tank from the LFS where you bought your stuff, probably in water that was packed with the fish or inverts. They are not harmfull but serve as a food source for your fish.
Brian

 

[Mr_Quality]

[welcome]

Yup, prolly amphipods. They are a good thing. Can't explain the loss of your fish though.

 

[ozmatoz]

Thanks for your help!!

I looked at those pictures and that is what I have.

Now I can relax!:beer:

I must say though the more I read up on Mantis they sure would make an interesting pet... in a seperate tank. Now where did I put that spare 10g again...

Thanks!