[passinetti2007]

What are these things? They are too small to take a picture of them. They look like insects of some kind. They're living in my rock, and they are everywhere when the moon lights come on. When they see my flash light they run away and I'm worried. I'm sure you've read my thread on my featherduster getting consumed. It was a huge duster it was the size of a huge earthworm like you'd take fishing or something. And in 2 days nothing was left but the feathers. I don't think these guys would do that would you? Anyone know what they are and how I can get rid of them if they are a problem. I'm guessing they are what killed my FD, but if they arn't what did it?

[element]

sound like some planktonic crustacean I wouldnt worry about it....An feather dusters do lose thier feathers sometimes is this what you are talking about?

[saltydawg]

I have the samething. Only come out at night live in the lr. They are not taking over and dont seem to be a threat. As far as I can tell these are what they are.
Those Little White Bugs In Your Saltwater Aquarium Profiled - Classification Information and Facts About Copepods and Amphipods

[passinetti2007]

thats not them i found a shed skin on my sand bed just now and it looks like a shrimp. I'm not sure about a mantis though because out of all the pictures online of mantis shrimp this one is tiny with no color at all just tan or transparent. I'm worried because my featherduster didn't loose its feathers it got ripped in half then mangled then completely consumed. And it all happened in a matter of days and at night, and these are the only guys I see that are active at night. What do you think?

[saltydawg]

Thats weird I had the samething. I was changing water today and found the samething. A little shed skin translucent and looking like a small shrimp. Im no expert I just found that article and thought that might be it. I can see them come out of my LR at night after the lights are out and if I flash a light on them they takeoff. There is a new forum trying to be created for pests. Its in general interest under feedback and questions. It's called pest forum and they need twenty people to show interest to create it. You should join in. I did.

[passinetti2007]

The things have to be mini mantis shrimp, because I can't think of what would have eaten my FD in 2 days. I havn't seen anything else but these guys. There is at least 4 of them. They are too small to trap I think. Any idea on how I can remove them?

[mtfabel]

Sounds like copepods to me and they are not bad actually they are very good. It may be possible that you have a mantis shrimp but you would be able to see it plainly unless it was a baby. If you can make sure it is a mantis then you definitly need to get rid of it. If it turns out they are just copepods leave them alone they are good for your tank.

[darksun99]

Yeah i have them too, they are harmless. Your fishies will eat them

[passinetti2007]

I'm not sure. I thought thats what they could be, but what ate my worm. This was no ordinary featherduster my other FDs are tiny this one was the size of a huge earthworm but it was dark green, and in 2 days it was gone, all but the head. I havn't seen anything but these little copepods. I'm tempted to run soda water thru my rock and see what comes out. But I don't want to dismantle my display. I've got coral and other rocks glued to it. But I don't want to add anything else until I know for sure that it is safe.