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View Full Version : What the heck are these creatures?



SBee
03-28-2003, 5:34 PM
About 8 months ago, I noticed some egg-like things on the glass in my community tank. I also noticed a few tiny (3-7mm) shrimp-like creatures creeping in and out of the crevices on my drift wood.

Eventually, the eggs stopped appearing, and I stopped seeing the creatures.

The last two times I've cleaned my gravel though, I have seen literally HUNDREDS of those shrimp-like guys in the gravel vacuum, trying to keep from being sucked up. Anyone know what they are?

I notice that they shed their exoskeleton...I guess like a snake does...every once in awhile. The fish don't seem to be bothered by them. What are they??

Also--If I just stare at the gravel, I can't spot any at all. It's only when I clean the gravel with the syphon that they appear.

ChilDawg
03-28-2003, 5:39 PM
Amphipods, freshwater shrimp-type crustaceans, would be my bet. These are harmless, and make great fish food. Unless they cause the fish distress due to mass deaths, you have nothing to worry about.