flees

Question
i have a saltwater tank i just got a coral an someone told me it had flees.they r white little bugs.are they harmful to my tank.THANKS

Answer
These little crustaceans are not harmful and are most likely copepods or amphipods. They are a food source for some types of fish. Some gobies and blennies will pick at them but the mandarin fishes feed on them exclusively, so, if you are infested, a dragonette of some type will thrive. Go to your local saltwater fish expert and talk to them about a mandarin. There are several types and they even have specialized mouths with which to feed on these little copepods and amphipods. They are delicate so treat them accordingly. Good luck and be patient, Gerry.