Copepod HELP

[true2texas04]

I have a 12g nano biocube. About a month ago I put 15 lbs of live rock and 20 lbs of live sand. After about 2 weeks I noticed a pretty large (for a copepod) copepod in the sand. I was feeding my fish one day (maroon clown and 3 scarlet crabs) when I noticed possibly thousands of tiny copepods eating on some pellet food that landed on the sand. I researched as much as i could to make sure they werent harmful to the tank. I do have a massive population of them and i need to thin them out asap. What are your suggestions? What fish or inverts could i used to keep these little guys under control. Also keep in mind my tank size and existing livestock.

 

[meowzer]

If they are that big they are probably amphipods....and why get rid of them

I am sure your fish and crabs are having a feast on them, and they will eat the left over waste

 

[speg]

Yeah, they'll thin out over time. Fish and coral love to snack on these things. My clown wakes up every morning and swims along the glass picking off pods.

 

[true2texas04]

I may have copepods and amphipods. I am not sure. I have seen thousands of small clear or white looking crustaceans and probably 10 larger brown looking crustaceans. They look the same as far as body shape.

 

[meowzer]

Copepod
Attachment 243737
Amphipod
Attachment 243738

 

[true2texas04]

Copepod definitlely

 

[saxman]

Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3281012
Copepod
Attachment 243737
Amphipod
Attachment 243738
let's not forget Munnid isopods:

or the ever-popular STICK-TRAINED Gammarid amphipod:

 

[gilbert]

Originally Posted by true2texas04
http:///forum/post/3280996
I have a 12g nano biocube. About a month ago I put 15 lbs of live rock and 20 lbs of live sand. After about 2 weeks I noticed a pretty large (for a copepod) copepod in the sand. I was feeding my fish one day (maroon clown and 3 scarlet crabs) when I noticed possibly thousands of tiny copepods eating on some pellet food that landed on the sand. I researched as much as i could to make sure they werent harmful to the tank. I do have a massive population of them and i need to thin them out asap. What are your suggestions? What fish or inverts could i used to keep these little guys under control. Also keep in mind my tank size and existing livestock.
Mandarins eat copepods, but that's all they eat, and you would probably need either a breeding tank for copepods or a bigger tank.