WHAT R THEY! swarm of bugs with tiger pistol shrimp!

[lildraken]

I bought a tiger pistol shrimp a few days ago and he never came out from under a rock. I would only observe his antennae every once in a while. This afternoon I see a swarm of tiny "bugs" in front of his tunnel. They fight the current and stay with the shrimp and swarm inside his home. Almost in the same fashion as cichlid fry swarm together with their parents.

Could they be baby tiger pistols? They're so tiny I can't get a picture. They're about the size of cyclops.

 

[Bongo Shrimp]

I doubt they are shrimp larva considering that shrimp larva are almost microscopic, do you have any fish living with the pistol? Maybe it had babies and they hatched now. Pic would help.

 

[Sk8r]

the pistol shrimp acts as 'gatekeeper' for the eggs and fry of shrimp gobies, as I understand it.

 

[lildraken]

I took pics but the creatures are too small to see in them. I only have a pair of diamond gobies but they do not interact with the tiger pistol...I wish I had a microscope.

well regardless, I don't see them today so maybe it was just a bunch of pods swarming around him. The shrimp was a new addition to my tank so I think whatever the swarm was, came with him. I'll keep everyone updated if I get any further info or if they show up again.

 

[lildraken]

Okay I keep seeing the swarm of bugs. It turns out that I don't think they have anything to do with the shrimp. From what I observed is that they swim in dark caves and when they come into contact with light the swim back into the darkness so it looks like a swarming affect. The shrimp would sometimes push them towards the end of the tunnel they would swim back towards the shrimp. Does anyone know of tiny "bugs" that are not attracted to light in this manner?

 

[Bongo Shrimp]

Ok, for some reason as I was reading this again just now, I know what the bugs are. They are just pods. I have the same thing in my tank in a small hole in one of my rocks. When I shine my light in there, they are all buzzing around, and then suddenly rush to the back of the hole. I don't know why I didn't realize this before.

Wouldn't it have been cool if it were some type of small schooling fish or small shrimp?

 

[drd]

pistol shrimps are gate keepers for shrimp gobies
and the "bugs" are my guess are fri from the shrimp gobies if you have a pair that is of gobies

 

[lildraken]

bummer! pods are boring. I wish they were goby fry.

 

[mscarpena]

I agree pods. Shrimp larvae are probably not that exciting either because they will most likely just die anyway. At least the pods will live and benefit the tank.