what the hetch

vlash7 · 06-30-2006, 02:18 AM

i just started this new tank 2 months ago. All Ive put into my tank is live rock and sand. Im in a huge nitre cycle and i don't understand how I have dozen of these litte clear crawls all over my tank. What are they and are they dangerous

coral reefer · 06-30-2006, 02:25 AM

Hi! Welcome to 3reef!!!
Those clear shrimp like organisms are copopods or one of many types of pods. They are good for your tank and will help to feed various fish and inverts in your tank.
Good luck with the tank...what do you have in the tank to cycle it? What do you plan on keeping in your tank once it cycles? What type of equipment are you using?

vlash7 · 06-30-2006, 11:43 PM

basiclly I have the live rock, sand, and I put some stress zyme in their with a little food. I have a 12 gal eclipse. Came with everything I need for a salt water tank. My goal is to get this into a reef tank. I plan to put a turbo snail into it with a britle star, some emeral crabs, and 4 clown fish, i can't remember its tech name. Althrough I wish I could find a drawf loin fish to go into the tank, that would be really sweet. And I also plan for six types of corral, but not sure what to get. Have any seggustion for a good balance.

coral reefer · 07-01-2006, 05:35 AM

In a 12 gallon tank, four clownfish is at the very limit, I think, as far as fish go in a small tank like that. I would forego the Lionfish as adding it would crowd your tank, it would add excessive amount of pollutants to your water thru feeding and deficating. They require alot of feeding, are poisonous and require larger tanks for their survival.
I would go with two Clowns(what kind of clowns?). Maroon and Tomato's are very aggressive and get rather large. How about Gobies and Blennies or possibly a 6 line-Wrasse or one of many Fairy Wrasses? Just a suggestion!
Well let us know what you decide on and how your tank pans out! GOOD LUCK!

vlash7 · 07-01-2006, 10:25 PM

thanks ill let you know in a few weeks

karlas · 07-07-2006, 10:35 AM

I just wanted to post a picture of the anphipods you might be seeing. They are a good thing and provide a natural food for most fish.

http://www.odu.edu/sci/biology/jrh/whatis.htm