copepods

Question
QUESTION: I have a full bloom of copepods in my live rock (which supposedly is good) but they are crawling on & in my anemone -- I can't tell if they are a nuisance or is the anemone eating them? can they be harmful to the anemone?? or could they be hiding in the anemone for safety?? I've tried to search for info, but can't find any articles that reference copepods & anemones specifically -I have hermit crabs in the tank already & a sally lightfoot (30g tank & maxed out with fish -it was given to me 7 mos ago already established) they don't appear to be bothering the fish - just the anemone -- I do regular water changes & try to research as much as possible - (I'm hooked & will be upgrading to a much larger tank in about 6 months) -I'm not exactly sure what type of anemone it is bulb tip maybe? thanks for any info - I just don't want anything to happen to any of my tank family!!

ANSWER: Hello,

I have never heard of any issues with copepods and anemones either.

I wouldnt think it would be a problem.

You can get some blennies, or maybe a Mandarin Goby.  Mandarins eat ONLY copepods.  Usually I dont reccomend them as they end up starving as folks dont have as many copepods as they thnk they do, but maybe in your case, you need to thin the heard down a bit.

Please let me kno whow things work out for you

You can post over on my new forum at www.thelittleocean.com

We have a live chatroom and a blog, so you can create your own journal and get replies and feedback from other reefers.

Please be patient though as the forum is new and there maybe times when no one else is online and the chatroom mabye empty.  IF IT IS empty, please try again at a later time as reefers keep some strange hours sometimes...


hope to see you thre


bill



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Just wanted to say thanks for the reply -- it appears that my anemone made a meal out of most of the little critters that were crawling on him (his shrunken appearance was the digestive process) he has since moved himself in the tank slightly away from the major "nest" of copepods -- I've also noticed my bicolor dottyback picking at the "free" meal - will definitely check out the new site too!! thanks again!!

Answer
Yea, anemones 'shrivel' up when eating, stressed, sleeping, etc.

I am glad to hear that things are ok/normal, and that your other tank mates are sharing in the food source too...

That is always a bonus and usually a good sign things are going well.


thanks for stopping by here and hope you enjoy continued success and adventure



bill