Teeny Tiny organisms?...what are they!?

[dixiechicken82]

I was looking really close with a flashlight at the dugouts under & between the live rock when I noticed these little things... white & the size of sand jumping, swimming, scurrying across the sand! There was a small piece of shrimp that had drifted down there (that's what I was originally looking at), and I'm not sure if they were feeding on it or what. I went back later and the piece of shrimp had floated away but the tiny little....things were still in the same location.
Does anyone know what I'm talking about!?

 

[Navarre]

Copopods anbd amphipods. Completely harmless and a sign tha tthe liverock is healthy and working well. These little critters will be a good source of livefood for fish too.

 

[canyoubelieveit]

I started getting these shortly after I put my LR and LS in. I knew what they were, but there is something I'm still unsure about. How are these created? Did they come with my LR or LS?

 

[Navarre]

both probably.. though probably in higher quantities in the liverock. they can remain hidden very deep in the rock for long periods of time

 

[canyoubelieveit]

So, I take it that they are able to survive out of water for a very long time. How does this work?

 

[Navarre]

They can live deep within the liverock. this liverock can still be wet deep inside when transported. as long as they bodies are kept moist they should be ok. . this allows them to live in wet liverock for a couple of days.

Also.. they lay lots of tiny eggs that will rmain dormant and hatch when they are back in water. as long as the eggs are kept moist then they should survive.

 

[canyoubelieveit]

That makes a lot of sense. Thanks for explaining!

 

[dixiechicken82]

Will the fish eat them all? Or will they keep safe in the rock and keep reproducing?Should I do anything to help them?

 

[Navarre]

depends on the type of fish. a mandarin usually will wipe out the entire population as its is this fishes main diet. NOthing much you can do to keep them alive im afraid other than make alot of rockwork for themto take refuge and shelter. You could make a refugium for them and this stops any predators eating them whilst they are in the refugium... also gives the fish a near constant supply of live food too.

 

[dixiechicken82]

Thanks Navarre.