ID Anyone?

[Glenn_F]

I needed a few pieces of live rock to finish moray caves so went to the LFS, got 30lbs of fiji.... that came with a ton of these little hitchhikers(see attachment). Any ideas? Ive had marine tanks for 27 years and never seen these guys before. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[BIGgourami]

copepod

 

[Glenn_F]

really? Its a quarter inch long? Wow... Ive got tons of them but never had one this big in all these years. Thanks brother.

 

[BIGgourami]

yeah i see a crap-ton of these guys in my sandbed..
if they aren't "true" copepods they are at least very small crustaceans that have never presented a health problem for any of my tanks

 

[toolbox31]

Yeah copepods, I loved having a reproducing population in my tank, they were an in between snack for my fish. Your moray won't bother with them but I think they are still benificial.

 

[Glenn_F]

Thanks guys. Yeah, theyre fodder for many of my others! Appreciate the help!

 

[thefishofdoom]

its actually an amphipod. but never the less safe for the tank. and fish love eating them.