Please help identify...

[Cierra1985]

I have had my tank set up for about a week. Since day one I have had these little white critters on the glass. I drew a picture of how I see them:



Does anyone know what these are? Are the okay to have? anyone know a good website link for info on them?

Thanks!

Cierra

 

[Tayler]

how big is it? it is probably an amphipod or copepod they are a
great thing to have in your tank and provide an extra amount of food for your fish.

 

[charlesr1958]

Looks to be a copepod. If you would, please check the zooplankton page of :

A Hitch Hikers Guide to the Reefs

Chuck

 

[Cierra1985]

They look to be either Cryptopontius thorelli (Giesbrecht) or
Acontiophorus scutatus (Brady). They are like the size of a pin head. They are on my glass day and night. All I have is one shrimp and some polyps. Do they eat them also? Do I have to worry about having too many? Does this mean that I don't have to feed my shrimp if they are in excess?

Thanks!

Cierra

 

[charlesr1958]

What type of shrimp do you have? A good many of the shrimp we keep would most likely not eat them. I would not worry about having too many of them either, just part of a "clean up" crew.

Chuck

 

[Cierra1985]

I have a fire shrimp.

 

[charlesr1958]

I would still feed your shrimp as I doubt the shrimp actively hunts/catches the pods.

Chuck

 

[Cierra1985]

Thanks!