Cream Colored Bugs Crawing In And On Live Rock?

[saltwatergal]

I noticed tonight I have a number of cream colored bugs with a number of legs with feelers crawing in and out of my live rock. They are not very large.
I don't know if they are a type of shrimp! Does anyone know what they are? Is there something that eats them. Are they harmful to my soft coral.
Please Respond!
Thanks!
Saltwatergal

 

[nm reef]

Likely copepods and/or amphipods....sign of a stable/mature system....good to have! below is a link with info and pics.
pod pics

 

[saltwatergal]

It looks more like this picture:
http://www.geocities.com/jmmusicaquatics/stenetrium.jpg
It still could be a form of copepods and/or amphipods....
They are crawling in and out of the live rock.
Should I be alarmed, or should I leave them alone.
What invert or fish eats them? Will they harm my coral?
Here Is A Description Of My Tank!!
46 Bow Reef Tank
ABS Power Compact 96 Actinic -96 Daylight.
Fluval 304- Emperor 400- Bak Pack Reef II Protein Skimmer
with powerhead. With additional power head in tank.
200 Watt Heater.
40 -50 lbs Live Rock
30 lbs of Live Sand
20 lbs of crush coral
Yellow Tang, Maroon Clown, Yellow Tail Damsel
(2) Cleaner Shrimps, (2) Camel-Back Shrimps, (5) Peppermint Shrimps, Snails, Etc.
Mushrooms, Polpys Coral, Xenia, Chili Coral, Yellow Leather.
I am getting a Tiger Goby!
Please Respond!
Thanks.
Saltwatergal

 

[jonthefb]

man NM, i sure wish i could find some of the gammarids such as Cyproidea in that pic. they are jsut gorgeous. there is a great pic of one species on the modern coral reef aquarium vol 3 on page 349. they are just the coolest looking little guys ever!
good luck
jon

 

[saltwatergal]

Thanks for the feedback on the book which has the picture.
Thanks for the information on the link website.
More feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks
Saltwatergal

 

[jonthefb]

those guys are still a type of reef amphipod, and are great to have in the tank. they show that your tank is maturnign and will help in the consumption of algae, and detritus. they reproduce rapidly, but you dont need to worry, as many fish will eat them up in a heartbeat!
good luck
jon

 

[saltwatergal]

Thanks For The Feedback On The Crawling Bugs.
Now I can Rest Tonight Without Worrying.
Saltwatergal

 

[jsdean]

They are a necessity if you ever want a Mandarin Fish since Mandarins are picky eaters and they prefer them.

 

[saltwatergal]

I have another question since you brought up the Mandarin that eats Amphipods that I have in my tank.
Can I add a Mandarin in my reef tank with what I have already.
Will the Mandarin eat the shrimp etc?
Here Is A Description Of My Tank!!
46 Bow Reef Tank
ABS Power Compact 96 Actinic -96 Daylight.
Fluval 304- Emperor 400- Bak Pack Reef II Protein Skimmer
with powerhead. With additional power head in tank.
200 Watt Heater.
40 -50 lbs Live Rock
30 lbs of Live Sand
20 lbs of crush coral
Yellow Tang, Maroon Clown, Yellow Tail Damsel, Tiger Goby and Pseudochromis
(2) Cleaner Shrimps, (2) Camel-Back Shrimps, (2) Fireshrimps
(5) Peppermint Shrimps, Snails, Etc.
Mushrooms, Polpys Coral, Xenia, Chili Coral, Frogspawn Coral And Yellow Leather.
Who else eats those amphipods?
Please Give Some Feedback!
Thanks!
Saltwatergal

 

[saltwatergal]

I forgot to add the green brittle star and (1) Flame Scallop in the tank!
Saltwatergal

 

[drillsergeant]

i had a pair of scooter blennies that lived well, the female passed away, so i added 2 females. they decimated my mysis and g shrimp population. my male then passed and then one of the females passed away. now all i have is a female . it took several months and some creative rock arranging for all the little guys to come back. now i have a thriving population of mysis and g shrimp ,and will not add another scooter or mandarin to wreck it and starve again.

 

[saltwatergal]

Thanks for the feedback on the Mandarin!I
I won't get one!
MY TANK:
46 Bow Reef Tank
ABS Power Compact 96 Actinic -96 Daylight.
Fluval 304- Emperor 400- Bak Pack Reef II Protein Skimmer
with powerhead. With additional power head in tank.
200 Watt Heater.
40 -50 lbs Live Rock
30 lbs of Live Sand
20 lbs of crush coral
Yellow Tang, Maroon Clown, Yellow Tail Damsel, Tiger Goby and Pseudochromis
(2) Cleaner Shrimps, (2) Camel-Back Shrimps, (2) Fireshrimps
(5) Peppermint Shrimps, Brittle Star, Flame Scallop, Snails, Etc.
Mushrooms, Polpys Coral, Xenia, Chili Coral, Frogspawn Coral And Yellow Leather.
What that I have now in my tank will eat those reef amphipods?
I guess I am still new at this!!
Please Respond!
Saltwatergal

 

[drillsergeant]

when i had my 2 scooters they were in a 46 gal bowfront. the one didn't pass until i moved they to a 120 gal tank.

 

[saltwatergal]

I appreciate all of the feedback on the Amphipods!
If you don't have any scooter blennies then what in my tank likes them.
46 Bow Reef Tank
ABS Power Compact 96 Actinic -96 Daylight.
Fluval 304- Emperor 400- Bak Pack Reef II Protein Skimmer
with powerhead. With additional power head in tank.
200 Watt Heater.
40 -50 lbs Live Rock
30 lbs of Live Sand
20 lbs of crush coral
Yellow Tang, Maroon Clown, Yellow Tail Damsel, Tiger Goby and Pseudochromis
(2) Cleaner Shrimps, (2) Camel-Back Shrimps, (2) Fireshrimps
(5) Peppermint Shrimps, Brittle Star, Flame Scallop, Snails, Etc.
Mushrooms, Polpys Coral, Xenia, Chili Coral, Frogspawn Coral And Yellow Leather
Sorry I have to keep asking this question.
I am fairly new at this!
Please Respond!
Thanks!!
Saltwatergal