Night watching my tank

[Reeferz412]

I have noticed some very large pods in my tank as of late. How big? I can see the reflection of their eyes when I shine the flashlight. They are everywhere and all sorts of sizes. I'm used to the little slow ones on the glass that are pretty tiny but now I can see them running all over the rocks without having to squint or wear glasses. I was wondering what happens to Copepods when they get that big, do they continue to grow?

[lrs183]

Chucksaddiction, melevsreef and a number of other places have good IDs for hitchhikers. I would check there to see if they look similar to some of the ones you have. Maybe a chiton? I haven't personally seen one but I've heard they're larger than standard pods.

[Whiterabbitrage]

I've got pods that big too. I didn't know it till I was aquascaping one day and pulled out a rock with a sleeping pod underneath. It woke up and scared the life out of me! It was black and seemed as big as a bee ( it wasn't of course, I was just startled to see something alive unexpectedly.) I think they are about a quarter of an inch. I've seen them grab a pellet of Spectra and try to swim away. They are cool! Pretty sure my wrasse lives off them.

[Reeferz412]

Originally Posted by Whiterabbitrage

I've got pods that big too. I didn't know it till I was aquascaping one day and pulled out a rock with a sleeping pod underneath. It woke up and scared the life out of me! It was black and seemed as big as a bee ( it wasn't of course, I was just startled to see something alive unexpectedly.) I think they are about a quarter of an inch. I've seen them grab a pellet of Spectra and try to swim away. They are cool! Pretty sure my wrasse lives off them.

I didn't notice this explosion of pods until coincidentally, my wrasse hopped to his death. My pods are not that big yet, but visible to the naked eye. Thanks for the input!

[Reeferz412]

Originally Posted by lrs183

Chucksaddiction, melevsreef and a number of other places have good IDs for hitchhikers. I would check there to see if they look similar to some of the ones you have. Maybe a chiton? I haven't personally seen one but I've heard they're larger than standard pods.

I have two chitons in my tank. They are very slow critters... Slower than snails. These pods are super fast, almost like ants.

[malcojo]

Sounds like an Amphipod. I have never had any issues with them. I used to pull out filter floss in an old tank and there would be dozens, I would shake as many as i could back in the tank. I wouldnt worry about them.

[Reeferz412]

Originally Posted by malcojo

Sounds like an Amphipod. I have never had any issues with them. I used to pull out filter floss in an old tank and there would be dozens, I would shake as many as i could back in the tank. I wouldnt worry about them.

I am pretty sure that is it. There are other fairly large ones but that is one of many that I saw.

[malcojo]

I just saw a molt floating around the other night in my tank... Lol you know they are getting big when you see the molt. Maybe you need to replace your wrasse! good excuse for a new

[Reeferz412]

Originally Posted by malcojo

I just saw a molt floating around the other night in my tank... Lol you know they are getting big when you see the molt. Maybe you need to replace your wrasse! good excuse for a new

I would need a pretty scrappy wrasse with the guys i have in my tank lol

[lrs183]

I've seen some molts in my tank too... amphipods must be getting big >< saw two of them rolley poley fighting the other night before scurrying. Funny things