Copepods?

bigal0221

bigal0221

Member
O.K. everyone,
I am brand new to this hobby, have had my 125g DT running now for about 3 weeks and I have some new friends. I have done a lot of research and am almost positive these guys are copepods but I just want to make sure. They are tiny little white specks with what looks like little hairs all on them. I tried to take a picture but this is the best I can do because they are so tiny.
Thanks!
 
no_wedge

no_wedge

Member
more than likely coepods, if they have little antennas, and are about the size of a period on the keyboard they like to hang out on rocks, substrate, glass, and anywhere they can be safe.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
I would guess Spirorbidae Worms from your description but I can't see any detail in your picture.
Perhaps a more detailed description would help.
 
bigal0221

bigal0221

Member
I have tried to get a better picture and it is just not working. Yes they are about the size of a period on the keyboard and they have what looks like hairy little legs that blow around with the current. From what I can tell they are mostly on my glass or being blown around in the current.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Originally Posted by bigal0221
http:///forum/post/2944271
I have tried to get a better picture and it is just not working. Yes they are about the size of a period on the keyboard and they have what looks like hairy little legs that blow around with the current. From what I can tell they are mostly on my glass or being blown around in the current.
Do they move?
 
bigal0221

bigal0221

Member
They don't really seem to be moving with the exception of the current blowing the "little hairy legs" around. Once in a while the current will blow some of them off the glass.
 
no_wedge

no_wedge

Member
that is a hydroid jellyfish, I also have them in my take (or a variation of) they are normal and harmless. can you see any scoot around? mine move with propolsion just like a jelly.
 
bigal0221

bigal0221

Member
These guys seem to just stay on the glass without moving. They are blown off from time to time but they do not seem to be moving on their own. I hope that I have accurately Identified these guys, like I said before they do vary in size but the largest ones are no larger than a period on the keyboard.
So, I have different opinions of them already, hopefully they are not harmful to anything.
 
no_wedge

no_wedge

Member
if you can make out two antennas on one end of it then it is definately a copepod, they use the antennas to steer in the water current.
 
bigal0221

bigal0221

Member
Yes, they definitely have two antennas on one end and several "little hairy legs" on the other side. I can make this out for sure on the larger ones.
 
bigal0221

bigal0221

Member
The reason I was wondering is that most pictures I have seen of copepods they are longer that these, these are basically round with the legs on one side and the antennas on the other side.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Originally Posted by bigal0221
http:///forum/post/2944352
The reason I was wondering is that most pictures I have seen of copepods they are longer that these, these are basically round with the legs on one side and the antennas on the other side.
Ostracodes also match that description but they tend to move around.
Try looking at your tank at night with a flashlight. Copepods on the rocks or back glass will have one eye that glows red in the light.
 
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