Are they real active, like little gnats hoping all over the place? They look like pods to me. I hear they are a great food source to some fish, like blennies coral beauties. I have them as well, so I am buying a pod eating fish. On this site look for threads with little white flies and with little white gnats to see more info. The people on this site say they are good, as did I following their lead. However, I bought Saltwater for Dummies and he list pods as parasitic crustaceans:
"Causes: Copepod, isopod, and argulid crustaceans
Symptoms: Most of these tiny crab like organisms are visible to the
[hr]
eye. Copepods remain fixed in the same position, while isopods and argulids move over the surface of the fish. These groups feed by piercing the fish, causing tissue damage. Fishes with heavy infestations swim erratically, rub against objects, and jump. Bacteria will infect lesions.
Treatment: Remove fish that are infested with these parasites immediately. Also remove aquarium decorations and either dry them to kill egg masses or immerse them in 2% bleach solution for two hours. Treat infected fishes by immersing them in fresh water, trichlorfon, or malathion baths."
Skomal, G, (2002, p.261). Saltwater aquariums for dummies. NY: Hungry Minds, Inc.
Are there any out there with other data? I hope there is something other than what is reccomended by Mr. Skomal. I would like information from others on this and the source they learned it from. I would like these critters to be beneficial as posted on this site and perpetuated by me, however if it is not please inform.
Please list benifits of posd and where you learned it from.
Or list detrements of pods and where you learned it from.
AURGH!!! I am hoping someone will dispute Mr. Skomal. Please inform!
Crabbypants
