Some type of creature in my tank

[MantisBrad]

It looks like a huge copapod (about 1/4") and there is a bunch of them. They just crawl around on the walls. Anyone know what it could be? I have like a ton of these in my 10 gallon mantis tank. Are these bad or what?

 

[TXStateUnivReef]

amphipods they are like giant copepods

 

[ouuduy]

what exactly do they do for your tank ?

 

[KyleO]

they will act as a clean up crew like crabs, shrimp and hermits but the real bonus is that you can support cool fish like the mandarin goby with a lot of amphi and copipods

 

[MetalReef9]

They are great for reef tanks

 

[jennibee13]

an amphipod doesnt look anything like a copepod, my guess is isopod, look here , whats it look like? http://www.melevsreef.com/id/pods.html

 

[MrSquid]

May be a dumb question, but what's the best way to encourage the growth and presence of pods besides a lot of live rock?

My wife is dead set on a pair of mandarins - and she's hoping to be lucky enough for a mated pair. (should I be worried that my wife basically wants real live fish p0rn? )

 

[KyleO]

Not a dumb question at all IMO..........you encourage pod growth with a refugium and macro algae. I personally find that chaeto is the best for pod growth. It is also for pulling nutrients from your water column. My Mandarin is solely supported by the pod output from my fuge (I have never seen him take anything else) and is very healthy.

 

[jennibee13]

a refugium with chaeto and dose zoo and phyto...............and dont make the mistake i made, i got a 6 line wrasse first, i tried 2 mandarins and couldnt figure out why they werent surviving.......didnt know 6 lines eat pods.............learned the hard way...............if you want a pair of mandarins you cant have any other fish that eats pods, jmo

 

[MrSquid]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11415965#post11415965 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by KyleO
Not a dumb question at all IMO..........you encourage pod growth with a refugium and macro algae. I personally find that chaeto is the best for pod growth.

Perfect - then I should be in good shape once the tank gets wet. Thanks!

 

[adtravels]

pics please

 

[KyleO]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11417217#post11417217 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jennibee13
a refugium with chaeto and dose zoo and phyto...............and dont make the mistake i made, i got a 6 line wrasse first, i tried 2 mandarins and couldnt figure out why they werent surviving.......didnt know 6 lines eat pods.............learned the hard way...............if you want a pair of mandarins you cant have any other fish that eats pods, jmo

Very good point (and very true)!!!