night life

[Tex]

No, not the sandy beach bar kind. I have a red-lens flashlight and love to look after hours. The past week or so I've been staying up about 1 to 2 hours after the lights turn off. I'm simply amazed at the life that comes out to play. Reddish looking worms sticking out of a rock and feeding on an adjacent rock. Tiny looking "bugs" with antenae that scurry around, some seem shy to the red light and some don't mind. About the size of a pencil tip and appear to have segmented body, and very fast. Anybody have a clue what they are? I've also seen 6" long flatworms, bristle worms or fireworms, not exactly sure which. Watched a giant worm tonight that checked out a mushrrom and went cruising elsewhere. Also, my snails seem to love the darkness.

I'm sure many of you have enjoyed the first year of nightlife. I think it's really cool!!! 8)

 

[Wood_Dog]

I agree...although after the first night watching all these crazy critters I was a bit nervous sticking my hand in the tank then next day LOL

 

[Fluff]

Live rock is amazing. lol The little bugs you see sound like amphipods. Busy little guys.

 

[roka64]

Fluff is right about the amphipods. Mine will come out in light, if there is a chunk of food that lands right next to the rock they are under.

 

[ntswift]

Its awesome staying up watching my tank at night! Its kinda like a late night horror movie with all the cool different creatures that come out.

 

[courtneyclv]

I have only had my LR for a month. I got some cool pieces of Florida Aquacultured that has a lot of growth. When will I see little night creatures though? Unfortunalty I don't think I got any hitchhikers.

 

[roka64]

When will I see little night creatures though?

They are probably already there. Use a flashlight with a red lense about 1-2 hours after lights out. You will be surprised.

 

[courtneyclv]

Oh! I don't have one with a red lense..just a regular light. I haven't seen those before? Is the red light the only kind that doesn't scare the critters away or something?

 

[roka64]

Is the red light the only kind that doesn't scare the critters away or something?

Yep. They are not as sensitive to that specific spectrum.

I haven't seen those before

You can get one a Wal/K-mart or any place like that. I'm sure you just never needed one so you didn't really look. My dad was in the military, so I knew about them....but not for fish purposes, found that out somewhere else.