Possible Emergency?!? Need help!

[Graham670]

I just walked over and took a look at my glass and theres hundreds of what look like tiny tiny little white/clearish bugs or something on the glass. These were not there yesterday and i have no idea what they could be? They are very small....probably 1/32nd of and inch in length and appear to have a tiny tiny little tail on the back? I cant get a good picture with my phone, it makes them just look like white dots, but does anyone have any idea what this could be? And any idea of a remedy? Thanks.

 

[SushiGirl]

Copepods, you want them as they're a good thing.

 

[pierced_rainbow]

Here is a link for some educational info on all the little life that you may find in your tank.


http://kingfish.coastal.edu/biology/sgilman/770PlanktonBenthos.htm

 

[cjilge]

congrats! Natural food for your fish! They consume algea and such and are a great part of your cuc.

 

[Zswift]

I had those, buy thought that it was just sand, so I scraped them off. Is that bad?

 

[pierced_rainbow]

Scraping them off the glass isn't bad, just cleans your glass and puts them and their food source in the water. They will be back on your glass before you know it.

 

[Graham670]

ok great. It had me stressed out for a bit since i have never noticed them before then all of a sudden, BAM theyre everywhere! Thanks for the quick responses and information.

 

[cody6766]

Their population will ebb and flow throughout the life of your tank. It will depend on the amount you feed and the type of fish you stock, among other things.

Also look out for bristle worms (red with little hairy spines all over) and stomata snails (look like little fingernails with a snail under them). You'll see them eventually and they're nothing to worry about

 

[cjilge]

Their population will ebb and flow throughout the life of your tank. It will depend on the amount you feed and the type of fish you stock, among other things.

Also look out for bristle worms (red with little hairy spines all over) and stomata snails (look like little fingernails with a snail under them). You'll see them eventually and they're nothing to worry about

but do becarefull with the bristle worms when they get a bit bigger they can shed their "hair" and will stick you like a cactus or fiberglass and is very hard to get out. Doesnt hurt too bad but itches and is anoying. By the way many people pay good money for copepods!

 

[madkat]

I got a hold of a bristle worm in my sump last week. left about a million little hairs in my finger. It went numb for about 5 minutes... Maybe not numb but definitely it tingled and was muted nerve wise.

 

[cody6766]

Put a little superglue on skin that has the hairs in it. Let it dry and then peel it off and you should remove the bristles at the same time.