"Bugs" on shrimp while cycling

[piperky1]

There are several small small "bugs" on the raw shrimp in the tank while it is cycling. Just added shrimp yesterday. Any idea what they are?

 

[piperky1]

Forgot to mention they are white.

 

[Crystal A]

Pods. Normal and good to have

 

[piperky1]

What I thought. Just checking.

 

[jcolon]

Pods. Normal and good to have

Agreed, pictures would help, but it's probably copepods or Ostracoda. Did you add any live plants recently? That's usually one of the ways they get into a tank.

 

[piperky1]

No live plants. Just the shrimp. Have live rock and sand in there too. They are to small to be seen with a picture. I might try and take one though.

 

[mr_X]

Those are probably a (harmless) form of isopod. They are seen in new tanks but disappear as fast as they came. Look like this?

 

[piperky1]

No. They are more tear drop shaped with the larger the head at the big end and a tail. Almost like mini horseshoe crabs. They are very very tiny. Like pin head size. Way to small to see on a normal picture.

 

[AbsoluteFaye]

Look up the stages of hydroids. Could be them.

 

[piperky1]

I tried a picture. Here it is. Notice little white dots around and on shrimp.

 

[mr_X]

Google "Copepod images". See if they look familiar.