Live rock has little white wormy things. Need a little help

[jester]

My live rock has these little white bugs on it. I can't get a pic, but they are small and there are a lot of them. can someone post pics of common bugs with names? And then if they are good or bad.

 

[steamboat1569]

Amphipods (spelling?). the pods that everyone talks about here. These are part of the life in the live rock and substrate. Do they look like little white wood lice? crawling over everything?
In the subject you said wormy things, in the post you said bugs.

 

[jester]

With a little indirect help from Broomer (answer to someone elese's post "pods" )
They are AMPHIPODS.
WHAT ARE AMPHIPODS, and are they good or bad? How do I get rid of them if they are bad?

 

[steamboat1569]

They are good. Do not get rid of them. They are part of the diversity of the natural tank.

 

[jester]

I was editing while you were replying. Hehe. That's what they are. They are ugly.

 

[jester]

My woman does not approve of ugly things (doesn't make sense if she's with me, I know) but a least in the tank. What good are they and can they harm or benifit anything?

 

[steamboat1569]

They are detrivores. Most of them will move to the substrate, but they are one of the major contributors to waste reduction. In other words, they eat - you know what. They are a natural part of the tank, and do nothing but good.
By the way, my wife settles for me also, even though she likes things pretty and neat. Go figure!

 

[jester]

Thanks. I guess I'm only seeing them now because I'm fish free. I'm running my 40 with LR and LS with a few crabs and a cleaner shrimp.
You've been a great help Steamboat. Thanks

 

[wrassecal]

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