Creatures in substrate

[wbaker01]

We've noticed the last few times that we've cleaned our tank that we have some "creatures" in our substrate. I would take a pic of them but they are very tiny but they are growing. At first glance, they appear to be tiny shrimp and live exclusively in the substrate. If one of my fish sees them while we're are cleaning, they pick it them off instantly. Now, the question I have is what are they? We have a typical community tank with a few live plants but we have never had shrimp of any sorts in our tank. Our fish are cory catfish, algae eaters, clown loaches, tetras and hatchetfish.

Thanks,
Bill

[jm1212]

how big is the tank? what are you parameters (ammoina, nitrite, nitrate)?

[webcricket]

What color are they?

[kveeti]

Amphipod

Look up "fairy shrimp" or scuds.

Fairy shrimp:
http://www.vernalpool.org/inf_fs.htm
Scuds:
http://www.bcadventure.com/adventure/angling/protalk/rowley/scuds.phtml

No problem, you just have a critter you can see. And live food for your fish. Most of the other life in our tanks are microscopic and can't be so readily seen. Get a microscope, you will be fascinated.

[kmgriff72]

I don't know if it is the same in FW as it is in SW but, you get amphipods or pods in a SW setup and it is a sign of a healthy tank. The more you have the healthier the tank is.

[CaitxSith]

unless the SW tank is completely overloaded with them.

but that'll never happen lol