UFO's!!!!

flameangel

flameangel

Member
I have some unidentified fishy organisms! In the past few days I have noticed these tiny little creatures on my substrate and around my live rock. They go nuts when I feed my fish, scampering around scavenging for falling food. Quick little boogers. Hard to get a good look at them. They are anywhere from a 16th of an inch to 1/4 inch long and appear to have a few antenna on top of their head(?). They are all a clear or milky color. The largest one seems to have what looks like a red stripe running the length of it's body. Does anyone have a clue what these are?
I have live rock, 2 firefish, frogspawn, green star polyps, mushrooms, 5 blue leg hermits and 2 peppermint shrimp in my tank....although I have only seen one of the shrimp since the first day.
By the way, does anyone have a good pic of a mysis shrimp? <img src="graemlins//confused2.gif" border="0" alt="[confused2]" />
 
kelly

kelly

Member
I think they are copepods, not flat worms, and they are what Martha Stewart would call a "good thing".
I will try to add a few pics shortly...
 
flameangel

flameangel

Member
<img src="graemlins//urrr.gif" border="0" alt="[urrr]" /> You guys are nuts! Hahah!
Sammy, these critters are definitely not afraid to "come into the light" as far as I can tell. They seem to stay hidden until I feed my fish, then they come out and grab up the food. After that, they are hidden until it is again feeding time usually. If not amphipods, any clue on what else they may be? I looked at some pics of them, and it's a close match. <img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" />
 
jim672

jim672

Member
Bettr,
I have seen lots of them in my tank, too. I first saw mine after I had an ick epidemic and lost all my fish. As I was waiting out the "no fish" period, I began to notice all these little guys that sure look like the amphipod picture. They came out during full light.
I haven't seen one since I added a fish. <img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" />
 
flameangel

flameangel

Member
Hmmmmmmmmm........verrry interesting, Jim. I, too, just got over an ick epidemic that wiped out 3 of my 5 fish. I am around my 3-4 week post ick period. There are still two firefish in the tank though....of course they hide all the time and never bother anything. Did you ever decide what your "UFO's" were? Like yours, mine come out in daylight.
 
jim672

jim672

Member
BettrDaz,
Right before my ick problems, I had had a number of Camelback shrimp that died. While they were alive, I did see the females laying eggs. When I first saw these guys, I actually thought they were baby shrimp.....some of them even shed their exo-skeltons, I think.
Well, since seeing the picture on this string of the amphipods, it sure loks like what I have.
Jim
 
flameangel

flameangel

Member
I just came home and fed my fish. Out came the critters. One of them grabbed a flake and stood on an empty hermit crab shell...(yes, STOOD)...and appeared to be laughing at me while his little tentacle things were twitching on his little head. I'm not sure, but when he finally ran off, I think he did a little flip into the hermit crab shell. Strange little booger! If we are all in agreement that they are safe, they should be funny to watch.....until it's time to add more fishies! This X-File is is coming to a close!
 
wamp

wamp

Active Member
BettrDaz
any good lfs in lexington or surronding area. I know all of them in GBoro but Lexington?
I travel alot with my job and go to lexington sometimes and just wondering if any were worth a stop.
 
flameangel

flameangel

Member
Wamp,
Lexington is NOT worth the stop. They only have a handful of saltwater fish tanks and 1 tank with corals. It is small and not really worth making any special effort to go to. It's called Pet Pavilion. If you want directions I'll be glad to give them to you, but like I said, don't waste your time.
There is a store in Winston-Salem called Pet & Hobby Shoppe on Reynolda Road. They have a pretty decent selection of corals and saltwater fish with usually plenty in supply. Let me know if you want directions.
As for Greensboro, you said you had that covered, so happy traveling!!!!
 
karlas

karlas

Member
ive been having a couple come running out and grab a piece of food when i feed my fish also. but they usually dont get away when my bangaii cardinal sees them. he sort of stops completely turns sideways then snaps them up they never knew what hit them. i think we have a really good population though i'll use a light at night and see tons of them in the grape alge
 
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