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Are These Copepods or Something Harmful?


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Hi!

I inherited a snail tank a few months ago that has been doing well and I’ve been slowly adding to it (plants a few weeks ago, and was going to add some cherry shrimp this week), but just noticed these little guys swarming along the waterline. They move pretty quickly in little jumps/skips and I’m trying to determine what they are and whether they will be harmful to my snails and shrimp. I would really appreciate an opinion besides my own as I am very new to this. Thanks!

(The photo is a little blurry, the camera kept trying to focus on the snails and plants.) 

IMG_3363.jpeg.d44cbafc27c67b74fc6aa1b3e9b33b05.jpeg

IMG_3364.jpeg.bbff36a8f678981c3e851bebc7d3ea25.jpeg

 

 

 

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On 5/31/2024 at 12:31 PM, AmandaN said:

Hi!

I inherited a snail tank a few months ago that has been doing well and I’ve been slowly adding to it (plants a few weeks ago, and was going to add some cherry shrimp this week), but just noticed these little guys swarming along the waterline. They move pretty quickly in little jumps/skips and I’m trying to determine what they are and whether they will be harmful to my snails and shrimp. I would really appreciate an opinion besides my own as I am very new to this. Thanks!

(The photo is a little blurry, the camera kept trying to focus on the snails and plants.) 

IMG_3363.jpeg.d44cbafc27c67b74fc6aa1b3e9b33b05.jpeg

IMG_3364.jpeg.bbff36a8f678981c3e851bebc7d3ea25.jpeg

 

 

 

They look like copepods aka  cyclops to me. Most say they are harmless but there are various species. @AmandaN

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Thanks! I really appreciate the help in identifying these little guys. Didn’t want to ignore a potential problem that could cause harm to my tank buddies.

I guess next step is to add a fish big enough to enjoy these as a snack without being big enough to also eat any shrimp. 

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