ID TIny Microorganisms swimming in moon lights???? (1 Viewer)

[doubletap4311]

I have hundreds, maybe thousands of tiny things swimming in my moonlights. They look like very small fish, but a very quick to change direction, jumping around in the water. None of them are any larger than the tip of a pen. Any ideas?????

 

[mr_surfer_Dude]

copepods or hydroids more than likely

 

[crvz]

I've never heard of any hydroids that swim, but maybe? More than likely copepods, but really hard to tell without photo ID. Which sounds quite tricky.

 

[AquaNerd]

do you have any shrimp in your tank? it's possible that what you see swimming around is shrimp larvae. they won't survive in your tank though if they are shrimp larvae. i've also had hermit crabs spawn in my 20 gallon aquarium. their larvae are just like the shrimp larvae. free swimming for a little while until they become fish or powerhead food.

there is a free swimming portion of the hydroid's life cycle. but it would be difficult small to see. it's called the medussa, and it attaches to the rockwork to develop into the hydroid we commonly see.

 

[doubletap4311]

I have no shrimp, but I do have hermits. I guess they are nothing to worry about?

 

[AquaNerd]

naaahhh...the little floating organisms will just become fish, skimmer, and powerhead food. probably just some larvae of something.

 

[Ophiura]

Do a google search for epitoke as well

 

[doubletap4311]

Thanks to all.