Isopods ? - Good, bad, or not important ?

F

Firewolf4

[We're coming through the final steps of our initial Ammonia cycle and late last night noticed about a dozen critters moving in and out of the rock. I did some checking and found they're Isopods. We've already got a high concentration of copapods and I know these are a good thing, but what about the Isopods ? They look like the little rolly-polly bugs and I believe they're "Stenetrium sp". Are these also good to have ?

Another issue we have is we put 2 white sand sifters in the tank about 3 days ago. we initially set them at opposite sides of the tank, only to find them stacked on top of each other. They are now seperated however, one of them looks like it's been severely injured. A wound that cuts across the center is getting progressively worse and we now fear for it's health. The wound is separates 2 legs from the other 3. ANY info would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Russ]
 
[Isopods are a good thing and a great part of the tank's clean-up crew.

As for sand sifting stars, I've tried 3 times and never had one live more than a few weeks. Not sure what to say about those things.]
 
[Russ, check my ID page to compare the pods you have. They are listed on Page 2.
http://www.melevsreef.com/id/

Regarding the starfish, they can disintegrate, typically due to salinity issues during acclimation. That is to say, it could die or perhaps you'll have a couple of strange 'half' starfish for a while before they regenerate new legs.]
 
[Marc,
The carcass I pulled from the tank just after my post looks identical to the amphipod pic (minus color of course) but there are other critters varying in color from brown to black, not longer 8mm. Perhaps larger Amphipods ?]
 
[Perhaps. Can you post any images of yours?]
 
[Yep, that's an amphipod. The good isopod looks like an ant with 8 legs.]
 
[Just want to make sure there is no misinformation here. ISOPODS ARE BAD. I had them come in on some rock - they are blood sucking parasites (literally). It took me four weeks to catch the biggest of them - they're fast, ugly and can make 90 degree turns in an instant.

For ID purposes, they look like white roly poly bugs with two black dots for eyes (until they're filled with blood, then they're half to full brown).

Once you've got them, they will suck your fish dry, cause infection, and only disappear when your fish do. (unless you stay up for four weeks straight with a flashlight and net at the ready).

Check out this link.

My Webpage]
 
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