Killing Aphipods

[Dorkhedeos]

I got pico tank and i was just wondering how i can kill these little boogers. They are pissing off all my zoas by crawling all over them all the time (pissing me off too because theres always a colony of zoas that are closed). I did a freshwater dip with my coral, but unfortunately they are still alive. Got any tips?

 

[AK77]

I have a power gravel cleaner, which is pretty good at sucking crap up and dumping it in a filter bag. If you have one, you could try using it to suck up the amphipods.

You could also try introducing a natural predator for a week or so. Black Cap Basslet and Blue Star Leopard Wrasse feed on them. If you have a larger tank and have a small fish that you can temporarily place into the pico for a feeding frenzy, then I'd go for it.

 

[Musho3210]

dont see anything wrong with them but then again you dont have any fish that eat them. I wouldnt add predators, you could use some chemical that is used to kill red bugs to kill them.... I got many amphis in my tank and they crawl on my zoas sometimes, but they only retract VERY little, your retraction could be from something else....

 

[Lynden]

Agreed. They are beneficial scavengers and very interesting to watch.

 

[Musho3210]

are you sure they arent zoa spiders? Seeing that you said they like your zoas and keep them closed.....

 

[SkiFletch]

Interceptor. Its a perscription medication given to dogs/cats to kill off fleas. Some places online (I dunno which, sry) I'm told will sell it without a perscription. Otherwise, call a vet, explain the problem, and ask them for a script, they might give it to you. Once you get it, dissolve say 1/4 of a tablet in a small glass of tank water and pour it in. Will kill ALL copepods, amphipods, crab, shrimp, zoo eating spiders, any small crustaceans. And I do mean ALL, so if you have any decorative ones you want to save, QT them.

 

[Musho3210]

includes hermits and shrimp if you have any.

 

[Dorkhedeos]

Thanks for the advice. Im pretty sure its not the water because only 1 of my 5 colonies is closed at a time. Unfortunately, my pico is only half a gallon, so i dont think i can introduce any predators. I may just use the interceptor, but i like my copepods I might just try to remove them physically, and then if that doesnt work, i will use the interceptor. Thanks again



Edit: Now that i think of it, ive noticed that the same colony closes up all the time. Ive also noticed this white spots on a few of the heads. It looks similar to when lps get stung. Ill upload a better pic after class if you guys need it

 

[Musho3210]

i still doubt that tehy are amphi-pods, i mean, you dont feed the tank right?

 

[Dorkhedeos]

i still doubt that tehy are amphi-pods, i mean, you dont feed the tank right?

Nope, i dont feed it. Im starting to think its not the amphipods too because the other colonies would have closed up if it were I guess its a different problem then

 

[SkiFletch]

Check them out at night

 

[Musho3210]

yup, i think you got a bug.... spider, nudis.... Look up zoa eating spiders and zoa eating nudibranches.