Looks like little tiny shrimp or something
- Thread starter laxratnd
- Start date
Sound possible?
Freshwater amphipods (e.g., Gammarus)
These freshwater relatives of the shrimp-like amphipods commonly seen in reef aquaria at night are again a common inhabitant of ponds, streams and small lakes during the summer months. Although not quite as simple to culture in your backyard, they are often locally abundant and easily collected with a dip net throughout most of their range. They swim more quickly, and in a much smoother manner than either the water fleas or copepods, and are therefore not quite as useful as the first two groups that I just discussed. Because they are freshwater, they do not survive for long in a marine environment, and because they are relatively quick swimmers that will head directly for the cover of a rock, coral or macroalga when introduced to the tank, there is a reasonable chance that they will find cover and hide until they die from the salt stress of being tossed into a marine tank. Obviously this is not ideal, and can easily contribute to a nutrient problem if too many of these little gammarids escape being eaten and die/rot in your tank. However, many fishes love these tiny 'shrimp' and provided that you add them slowly and allow your fish a chance to catch them, they make an excellent and nutritious treat for your fish.
Freshwater amphipods (e.g., Gammarus)
These freshwater relatives of the shrimp-like amphipods commonly seen in reef aquaria at night are again a common inhabitant of ponds, streams and small lakes during the summer months. Although not quite as simple to culture in your backyard, they are often locally abundant and easily collected with a dip net throughout most of their range. They swim more quickly, and in a much smoother manner than either the water fleas or copepods, and are therefore not quite as useful as the first two groups that I just discussed. Because they are freshwater, they do not survive for long in a marine environment, and because they are relatively quick swimmers that will head directly for the cover of a rock, coral or macroalga when introduced to the tank, there is a reasonable chance that they will find cover and hide until they die from the salt stress of being tossed into a marine tank. Obviously this is not ideal, and can easily contribute to a nutrient problem if too many of these little gammarids escape being eaten and die/rot in your tank. However, many fishes love these tiny 'shrimp' and provided that you add them slowly and allow your fish a chance to catch them, they make an excellent and nutritious treat for your fish.
They sound like freshwater scuds or like Dan Feller said, amphipods.
If you've had them in your gravel a long time and they aren't hurting your fish then I'd leave them be. A lot of fish like to snack on them.
If you've had them in your gravel a long time and they aren't hurting your fish then I'd leave them be. A lot of fish like to snack on them.
Hey they look just like Freshwater amphipods and freshwater scuds. Do you think i have anything to worry about. Or should i just leave them be in there. Must of picked them up one day with fish at the fish store. Does anybody have an idea of the breeding habits because it seems i just keep finding more.
I doubt if you have them all over your gravel that they're parasitic (though fish lice and stuff are in the same family, so they look similar), but not sure on the life cycle of the parasitic ones.
Just make sure they're not getting on your fish or anything and I wouldn't worry about it. I'd guess they're just harmless amphipods or something like was already mentioned. Try to get some pics though, sounds interesting.
I do forsee one issue, not with them but with the aquarium itself. If they are all over your gravel and tank it may mean you have an excess of foods or detritus in your gravel which is what they are feeding on, so definately make sure you are siphoning periodically and keeping your gravel free of waste.
Just make sure they're not getting on your fish or anything and I wouldn't worry about it. I'd guess they're just harmless amphipods or something like was already mentioned. Try to get some pics though, sounds interesting.
I do forsee one issue, not with them but with the aquarium itself. If they are all over your gravel and tank it may mean you have an excess of foods or detritus in your gravel which is what they are feeding on, so definately make sure you are siphoning periodically and keeping your gravel free of waste.
if you look at fresh water amphipods that will show you what they are. Thats exactly what they look at. Ill keep in mind about doing more gravel vacs. They are not on any of my fish they just live in the gravel. I have very course gravel so they go pretty deep and i just found some in my overflow box.
If they're indeed amphipods that'sa good thing.
Free food for your fishies
(assuming you have any fish small enough to benefit...though larger ones will sometimes sift for that kind of stuff too)
Free food for your fishies
(assuming you have any fish small enough to benefit...though larger ones will sometimes sift for that kind of stuff too)