to the newbies

[kydsexy]

I notice alot on RC that alot of people have these shrimp like things swimming around in their aquariums. Some people believe that these are amphipods, others believe that they are copepods. Although they are drastically different, I'm not sure if everyone knows the difference between the two, but it's important to do research. Copepods are food. Amphipods are parasites. These are what you see in the lil tide pools at the ocean. I had a 5 inch flounder, he tried to eat an amphipod and he regretted it when the amphipod grabbed his face with his gnathopods, which are like claws. Copepods eat particles floating in the water. Amphipods eat copepods. Beware of AMPHIPODS :D

[marduc]

There are thousands of species of amphipods, all of which fill different niches, some are predatory, some are parasitic, but for the most part these guys are harmless and a welcome addition to our tanks, the most common species we encounter tend to be detrivores thanks to the natural selection process in our tanks.

I have tons of amphipods scurrying around on my rockwork, in my overflow, and my ball of cheato is overrun with them, no problems at all.


Amphipod article (http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rs/index.php)

[kydsexy]

very true. some are predatory, some parasitic, some mutualistic. but one thing they all have in common are gnathopods, which are claw like structures that they can use to cling on to the inside of and fish/bird/mammals mouth. just throwing it out there that if you have a young fish, try not to introduce him into a tank full of amphipods, and add him to a tank of copepods, preferably. Some individuals may/will collect what they believe to be copepods from the intertidal zone, are on a frequent sea fleas


And as far as I know amphipods aren't detrivores, rather omnivores, herbivores, and carnivores (although the will eat a dead carcass very happily)

[bertoni]

Amphipods are a significant part of the cleanup crew, and tye ones we see generally don't attack fish. Isopods are more likely to be a problem there, but even that's extremely rare.

[loosecannon]

Kydsexy do your research your self. parasites, they are food, just like coppods. good for the tank. ps. just throwing this out ther, DON`T buy fishes from pet co.