Help! I have fleas!

[ahoowahoo]

OK, they aren't fleas, but they look like'em! Actually they are white, and about half the size of a flea. What are they? I assume they are some sort of pod, but not sure what kind.
About 2 weeks ago I turned off my PHs, skimmer etc. to do some maintenance. It was then I noticed these little critters zipping around. Mostly they were near the top, but I did see them in all levels of the water. Last night I was doing some more maintenance and their numbers had swelled significantly (if I had to estimate I'd say there were hundreds of them).
I know my description is sort of lame, but isn't this a good sign? My tank is still pretty new (mid Dec '01) but all levels were at 0 within 10 days of setup. 50G w/80# LR 40# LS.
Are these the critters Manderins eat? If so, WhoooopEE! I really like those fish but didn't think I'd be able to maintain them in such a newly estabished tank. Not that I would go out and buy one mind you. In fact, I have yet to add a single fish yet even though my water parameters would suggest that it would be safe to do so.
Speaking of fish, my stocking plan was to add firefish, then a coule of percs and then finally (after 3-6 months) a Coral Beauty. Now I'm rethinking the CB. Any other recommendations out there for a "center piece" to include in the CBs stead? I know there are a ton if interesting species out there but since I only have a 50 at the moment I am somewhat limited in my optings till the 175 shows up!
As always, thanks for the responses.
Brad
P.S. I didn't plan on a reef tank but now that I've got 5 button polyps and 6 featherdusters on my LR, the fish I'm looking for above would idealy be reef safe! THX

 

[fshhub]

they are pods, they are a good sign, and they are some of the things mandarins eat, but i still would not add one for at least several months,
a royal gramma, or maybe some type of smaller wrasse??

 

[kris walker]

Yup, sounds like those fleas are pods of some sort, and Mandarins would be thrilled. <img src="graemlins//freak.gif" border="0" alt="[freak]" /> But I agree with you that you should wait for your tank to settle down a bit more before introducing any fish. I would wait until the middle of February. This gives time for the ecosystem to stabilize in terms of populations, and will minimize stress in the system when you finally add fish.
As for the type of fish for a 50-gal centerpiece, tangs are popular. Yellow or purple seem to be the most popluar. I don't know much about coral beauty's. But whatever you get, if or when it grows too big for your 50 gal, you have a 175 gal coming to transfer it into before it gets stress, sick, and dead. This will give you more flexibility as you know.
Good luck,
sam

 

[jonthefb]

Yeah it definately sounds like copeopods. These guys are definately good to have in a tank, but i would agree with fshub, and not add a mandarin for several months, because a mandarin would severly depopulate your pods that are in there now. Another good centerpiece fish could be a flame hawk, or perhapsa nice peaceful wrasse!. Good luck!

 

[ahoowahoo]

Thx for the replys. I DEFINITLY wouldn't add one for quite some time. Last fish, > 6 mo out at least. I'm just glad to hear ya'll confirm that these critters will, at some time, support a Manny.
I did see a wrasse at the LFS last week that really caught my eye. Not sure what the name is anymore but I'll pull out my trusty Burgess Altas and see if I can find it. Does red with yellow/gold bands ring a bell for anyone out there??
Thx again,
Brad