What are these?

Kristin1234

Kristin1234

Active Member
I was cleaning the algae off the glass this morning and in my overflow department I found these guys chilling on some purple algae.
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I'm thinking some kind of copepod? They have arms and legs and are running around the bottom of the chamber as well.
 
pegasus

pegasus

Well-Known Member
Unless you have a super macro lens on that camera, they're likely not copepods... as most copes in the marine hobby are smaller than 2mm. I can't tell how big they are in the pic, but to get a shot as clear as that, my guess is amphipods. Amphipods can grow to nearly half an inch, but it's usually closer to 1/4"...
 
Kristin1234

Kristin1234

Active Member
pegasus said:
Unless you have a super macro lens on that camera, they're likely not copepods... as most copes in the marine hobby are smaller than 2mm. I can't tell how big they are in the pic, but to get a shot as clear as that, my guess is amphipods. Amphipods can grow to nearly half an inch, but it's usually closer to 1/4"...
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Yeah they are tiny but I used my phone to take the pic. They aren't that tiny.

Harmful or just let them be?

What's the difference between cope and amphi pods?
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
They are beneficial detrivores and excellent supplemental fish food. They are not part of the Amphipod family, they are in the Munnidae family.
 
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