Tropical Fish Forums

Awwstin · Members Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Location: Dallas TX

I have a community tank with plenty of live plants, a pond snail infestation, and some very old fish. Today when changing the carbon in the filter, I noticed HUNDREDS of small shelled invertabrates with small antenae. They look like small white baby snails, but they move like demons.

What the heck are these?

TolkienGeek · Members Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Location: Huntington, Utah

They are most likely a type of copopod. The common name escapes me at the moment. Most a quite harmless. In fact, most will eagerly take them as food. That probably why you see them in the filter and not the main tank, the fish eat them as soon as see them.

It could mean you're over feeding, but I've seen them in tanks that haven't seen a single flake of food.

Hope this helps...
_________________
Never sniff a gift fish.- Patrick McManus

"Would you eat poo?" - Said the Corydoras catfish...

invertmaniac · Regulars Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Location: Wheaton IL

I'm probably wrong but they sound like trumpet snails. I've heard they clog filters but they're otherwise harmless. very tough little things. just scoop them out, it's hard for loaches to eat them. that is if they are trmpet snails.
_________________
Trying to spawn Barbs and Clowns
>.<

Awwstin · Members Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Location: Dallas TX

I think you're right tolkeinfreak. There's no way that they are snails, they're seriously faster than any fish I've ever seen. Thanks for letting me know..I've never heard of them before.

sepgundamrg · Regulars Joined: 18 Dec 2006 Location: Arkansas

Yeah, that sounds like a copopod. Here is a pic of one.

http://www.divediscover.whoi.edu/expedition10/daily/critter/images/copopod-lg.jpg
_________________
My tanks
http://www.aquahobby.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=55885

Awwstin · Members Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Location: Dallas TX

OK, I went to my LFS today and I got to see some copopods, and that's not what they are. My guys have shells (about 2 mm long), but they are waaaaay to fast to be snails. They might not have antennae...legs? I have no idea.

They live in the gravel and filter and come out at night. They also seem to swarm when food of some kind is around. Anybody had any experiance with something like this? I've stumped everyone I've spoken to.