shrimp like creatures in filter media??

[sound and surf]

Last time I change out my filter media I noticed a small shrimp like creature in the bottom. Not knowing whether he was friend or foe I tossed him out. Today, during a change there were a lot of them. All different ages I suppose. The largest I've seen is about an inch, some gray/brown striping across the back and not very agile in the water. Any ideas?:eek1:

 

[Bubbashrimp]

how about a picture?

 

[Fat Man]

Look up copepod, amphipod and isopod.

 

[sound and surf]

PICTURE OF SHRIMP IN FILTER

PICTURE OF SHRIMP IN FILTER

THE LARGER ONES GOT TOSSED OUT TODAY DURING A WATER CHANGE, THESE MUST OF BEEN HIDING OUT. I KNOW THEY ARE SMALL BUT HAVE YOU ANY SUGGESTIONS?

 

[sound and surf]

THANK YOU. I LOOKED UP AMPHIPODS AND THE BODY SHAPE IS SIMILAR. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE LONGER APPENDAGES ON THE HINDEND IS CORRECT. HARMLESS DETRITIVORE, SHOOO!!

 

[Bubbashrimp]

Re: PICTURE OF SHRIMP IN FILTER

Re: PICTURE OF SHRIMP IN FILTER

you said "I KNOW THEY ARE SMALL BUT HAVE YOU ANY SUGGESTIONS?"

1.) leave them be, thier presence is a sign of a healthy tank.


2.) Culture them and feed them to your fish, or sell them.