too many copepods???

[boalgf]

I've always had a healthy amount of copedods swimming around my tank and clinging to the glass, but lately the population has been booming. Everywhere you look in my 125 fowlr tank there are hundreds of little copepods.
Can you ever have too many?
Are they ever bad for fish?
Any and all information would be helpful. I've seen threads where people ask what they are and how to get them, none were about having too many though. Hopefully it just means my tank is super healthy.

 

[vito525]

I'll buy some if you have too many

 

[reefnut]

There population would be dictated by the amount of food available. I can't see any harm of to many...

 

[thangbom]

umm can i have some???

 

[boalgf]

As much as I'd love to hand them out, they are way too small to try and catch. Most are just the size of fleas. Reefnut, what exactly do they eat? As long as having thousands of them are good, I'm happy. THey seem too small for my fish to eat, but since they aren't causing any problems, no worries right? :thinking:

 

[cbarnes]

Have thought of getting a mandarin? they will eat those things right up.

 

[thangbom]

NOOOOOooooo..... um.. u could place a sponge in the tank for a few days then the pods will make a home of it.. then u can give me a used sponge???? w/critters.... :happy: :jumping: ... umm maybe?.....

 

[boalgf]

I've got a lionfish and puffer that would make a quick meal of a mandarin. Not to mention what my calico crab would do to one, god that would be horrific! They are very pretty though, so it is too bad. Do copepods act as a clean up crew?

 

[reefnut]

Originally Posted by boalgf
Reefnut, what exactly do they eat?
They eat bacteria, diatoms, phytoplankton, and other small particles in the water column. So they could be considered part of the cleanup crew!! I see no problem with having that many, in fact I would welcome it in my systems.
They also become food for many animals.

 

[boalgf]

Thanks. The only thing I have that might eat them is a foxface and maybe an angel. Hopefully they will start chowing down soon to alleviate the population a bit.

 

[italianwjt]

when i first started out and didnt know any better, i had them ALL OVER MY TANK and i flipped out, they were all over my fish and i thought it was something bad so i went out to the lfs and got green-x and killed them all

but my tank is back up to par...however havent seen anymore copepods

 

[reefnut]

Just to clarify, not all Copepods are good to have. There are parasitic copepods... if I seen them on my fish I would flip out also!!

 

[boalgf]

I havent seen any on my fish. But I have so many I don't see how my fish aren't eating dozens from just normal breathing.

 

[nemolover]

italian-
I have nevr seen my copepods on my fish (might be a possible concern)? not all copepods are good ones. Do you have a pick?

 

[italianwjt]

Originally Posted by nemolover
italian-
I have nevr seen my copepods on my fish (might be a possible concern)? not all copepods are good ones. Do you have a pick?
well the lfs said copepods are ok, JUST as long as there isnt to many then they are bad. but yah i took one in and they said they r copepods and when i seen them on my fish i freaked and green-x'd them ...no more problems