Are these a type of Pod?

[hummer]

I just noticed them all over my tank and they are moving around. Good/Bad?

[marie]

I really can't tell from the pic, it just looks like sand to me but here are a couple of site that has hitchhiker identification.

Most of the things you find on your rock will be at least reefsafe if not beneficial

http://www.xtalworld.com/Aquarium/hitchfaq.htm


http://www.melevsreef.com/id/

[hummer]

Ya, they are hard to see. But what you see in that picture is exactly what is on the glass. Tiny (sand size) bugs that are on the glass. When I take a closer look, I can see them move around.
Thanks for the links. Unfortunately I didn't find any that match mine. Closest is maybe the copepods. But again, mine are really tiny.

[Myka]

Ya, those are a type of pod. They start out realy tiny. I think they are baby pods. It seems new tanks havew a flourish of these little "moving grains of sand". They grow up.

[justinl]

Originally Posted by Myka

Ya, those are a type of pod. They start out realy tiny. I think they are baby pods. It seems new tanks havew a flourish of these little "moving grains of sand". They grow up.

not completely true. as far as pods go, the copepods we see in our tanks never really exceed a millimeter. the larger pods are adult amphipods or isopods. basic rule of thumb is that IF it is a pod and you have to squint to make out features, it's a copepod. point is, they're quite different; not just different life stages.

that said, there are a LOT of "tiny white things." a better pic or a good description might help.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by justinl

not completely true. as far as pods go, the copepods we see in our tanks never really exceed a millimeter. the larger pods are adult amphipods or isopods. basic rule of thumb is that IF it is a pod and you have to squint to make out features, it's a copepod. point is, they're quite different; not just different life stages.

that said, there are a LOT of "tiny white things." a better pic or a good description might help.

So...what size do you think amphi/isopods are when they hatch? The word "POD" describes isopods, amphipods, copepods, and a million other little critters that are similar in structure. Yes, some of those teeny guys are babies, some are copepods. In the end...those details don't matter. They are pods...maybe some kinds, maybe all kinds, maybe babies, maybe adults. It doesn't matter...

[Zoaelite]

Originally Posted by Myka

So...what size do you think amphi/isopods are when they hatch? The word "POD" describes isopods, amphipods, copepods, and a million other little critters that are similar in structure. Yes, some of those teeny guys are babies, some are copepods. In the end...those details don't matter. They are pods...maybe some kinds, maybe all kinds, maybe babies, maybe adults. It doesn't matter...

Very well put, KEEP IN MIND THOUGH not all pods are good. Amphi/Cope are great food sources for fish and are the lower level of the food chain in your tank. Isopods are little vampires (Insert Fish Vampire Emote here) and will latch onto your fish and suck its blood.
Levi

[Myka]

Originally Posted by i2as kass

Isopods are little vampires

Yes they are!! However, they are not very identifiable when they are tiny. Generally (and I mean 99.999999% of the time) those little "grains of sand pods" are beneficial little nutrient pods for your small fish to eat. Now...if they were red "pods" on your SPS corals, then you'd be in trouble!

[marie]

Originally Posted by i2as kass

... Isopods are little vampires (Insert Fish Vampire Emote here) and will latch onto your fish and suck its blood.
Levi

not all isopods are vampires, there are some that would no more suck blood then a rabbit would

http://www.melevsreef.com/id/safe_isopod.html

[PoonTang]

Originally Posted by marie

not all isopods are vampires, there are some that would no more suck blood then a rabbit would

http://www.melevsreef.com/id/safe_isopod.html

Didnt you know that there are blood sucking killer bunnies???? its true! I saw one in a Monty Python movie once.