Looking for a Copepod Eater...

[Buff]

Okay, I am going to talk about finned creatures in the Invert section.

In my Ebi, I have a large population of what is apparently being called "water mites" that cover the sides of the tank and are active on the substrate. Whatever they are, they do not seem to be a menace to my shrimp/babies, but appear to be a nuisance, as I see shrimp do that instant "teleport" move backwards occasionally from them. I assume they are a copepod or different groups of copepods. Some sources say they are harmless or actually beneficial, while others say they are snail killers. A couple of sources say they are indicative of good water conditions, while others say they are indicative of over-feeding and water that is "dirty" with an overabundance of nutrients.

The only thing I'm certain of is that they are a food source for some fish and I want to determine if I have a fish type at home that will eat the boogers and basically leave my shrimp alone.

The fish I have available are danios (albino), White Clouds, serpae and glowlight tetras. Would any of these eat the copepods? If so, which would probably present the least hazard to the shrimpies in your opinion?

Oh yeah, don't recommend that I do massive water changes. That's not going to happen in my shrimp tanks.

 

[tolawdjk]

If you are cool water shrimp, i would probably go with white clouds as they are closest in preferred parameters. However, with any fish addition to a shrimp tank you run the risk of loss, especially young. Most smaller fish will leave a full grown shrimp of similar size alone, but will prey on the babies if given a chance. I would say serpae are a definate no no as they are the most agressive of the bunch. Increase your amount of shirmp hiding places and cover, and as long as the copepod numbers stay high, they should leave the shrimp alone, or at least go for the more abundant and less hidden food source.

I would go with either the danios, or white clouds.

 

[Dieprophezeiung]

If they do end up snacking on prawn tho, would they not be less effective in riding you of the copepods? Just a thought.

 

[pixl8r]

Buff,

I agree with the sources that say that copepods are a sign of a healthy environment. However, if you really want to reduce their population, before introducing anything new, I would start by reducing the amount of food you provide in a given feeding. If it appears that more food is needed, instead of providing more food in one feeding, increase the frequency of your feeding schedule.

As for copepods being an indication of 'dirty' water, that is very easy to disprove. Just use your test kit to check on water chemistry. I've had multiple types of copepods in healthy tanks.

If they do end up snacking on prawn tho, would they not be less effective in riding you of the copepods? Just a thought.

I am a bit confused by your statement. Prawn by definition, are large marine or freshwater shrimp. In freshwater, prawn are Macrobrachium species. However, not all Macrobrachium species are prawn .

 

[Dieprophezeiung]

I am a bit confused by your statement. Prawn by definition, are large marine or freshwater shrimp. In freshwater, prawn are Macrobrachium species. However, not all Macrobrachium species are prawn .

sorry. i was thinking prawn were baby shrimp. :wall: lol

 

[sp1313]

Would you sell some?