What are these?

[alextheromanian]

ive noticed these guys appear and siappear onn and off over the months ive owned saltwater can someone tell me what they are and if they pose any danger...

i tried to zoom in as much as possible

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v653/alextrusca/1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v653/alextrusca/2.jpg

the reason why i bought this camera....:)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v653/alextrusca/white.jpg

[9501gle]

Look like copepods, their a good thing.

[alextheromanian]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12994483#post12994483 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 9501gle
Look like copepods, their a good thing.


is it also a good thing that i dont always see them on the glass?

[KyleO]

a very good thing!!

[9501gle]

Yes, they mostly live in the sand and usually when you see them floating its just the husk. I assume they shed their skin.

[Slayer311]

they do sluff their skin like crabs / shrimp when they grow, and they are a great food source for your fish and they help clear up detrius in your sand, tiny bugs so only help a tiny bit but hey, every bit helps! :)

[alextheromanian]

i was under the impression that copepods are a bit larger...these things are amller than fleas.

id say a speck of dust...if even keep in mind i used a camera with 12x zoom and SUPER MACRO...a camera ive made wall sized posters of an ant with.

[billie6227]

They are copepods and they are good to have. Definately a great source of food for picky eaters like mandarin gobies, and wrasse.

[Playa-1]

I concur, Looks like various pods to me.
:thumbsup: