Sand fleas?

[1badbrd]

Can SW aquariums get sand fleas?

Since the basement sump change things have not been perfect and my sand sifting star fish has been going down hill, well today he was next to an empty snail shell and i went to push him and noticed very small thin, flat bugs crawling around the empty shell.

They kinda look like flat rollypollies

ANyone have any clue what this might be?

 

[Paintbug]

theres so many bugs that can show up in our systems its impossible to say for sure with out a pic. but it sounds like you are describing sand skaters most of which look like these.
http://museum.vic.gov.au/crust/mov1652i.html

 

[vtrider]

amphipods

 

[1badbrd]

are those bad in anyway? it does look like the ones inthe link and i know it is not the amiphpods although i have though too.

Are the ones in the link bad for the system

 

[1badbrd]

it really looks like this guy

http://museum.vic.gov.au/crust/mov1664i.html

 

[WingnutSr]

From the description given in the link you posted, I would to think they would be good to have. JMO.

 

[Paintbug]

sand skaters are usually harmless, if thats what they are.

 

[rustybucket145]

I would bet what you have are amiphods. They are beneficial. Your starfish has likely depleated the micro fuana in your sandbed and is on the brink of starvation.

 

[Kmiec123]

Here's on of mine

 

[1badbrd]

ya mine look like Kmiec123 photo. They were very small and barly noticable. Just wanted to make sure that wasn't contributing to the slight problem i'm having

 

[Paintbug]

Kmiec123 thats a Sphaeromatid Isopod. they are harmless algae grazers.

this is what the common Amphipod looks like http://www.microimaging.ca/animal/3amphipod.html .

 

[1badbrd]

it definitly was not a amphipod, i know what they are, they are usually the first things that pop up when setting up a tank.

But thanks for the responces i was scared i had a bad thing