over runned by pods

[jrossjr79]

About 3 days ago, I noticed I had a large population of pods, they are crawiling everywhere at the moment. Even over some of my Zoas, which at first most of the heads would open, yesterday half of them would open, now only one or two of the heads will open. Yesterday I broke down and decided to go get me a mandarin (since I was in the process of setting up the tank for one already anyway). He has been hiding ever since (which I read they will hide up to a week). Problem is with the Zoas, is there anything I can do get the pods away from this colony I have (other than a fresh water dip)?

[Joe31]

a wrasse will do the job.

[jrossjr79]

which wrasse is the least aggressive?

[Joe31]

In my reef I have a leopard wrasse and a half and half wrasse. They both get along well, but the leopard wrasse will attack any other wrasse of the same family.

[ramsey]

They'll naturally balance out IMO. I've had a couple of pod explosions and they eventually dwindle down. Is your tank somewhat new or have you changed anything lately?

[jrossjr79]

Tank is 2 months old today

[Dean]

Most any variety of psuedochromis, wrasse, or dragonette will keep pods in check. I have a six line wrasse and yellow coris. The coris is a peaceful pod eating machine but the sixline does not like to get new tank buddies.

[jrossjr79]

I dont think their copepods, not sure what isopods look like yet, I think they might be amphipods, not 100% sure just yet, if that helps.


Good news is, my new Mandarin is done hiding, he is out and about around the LR hunting, just not out in the open just yet.

[mtfish]

Sounds like amphipods to me if they are bothering your corals. Amphipods look like they were smashed in a door flat, isopods look like they were stepped on flat. I am too old to see copepods without my glasses because they are usually small. lol Do you feed a lot? Sounds like they are taking advantage of extra food source and will regulate over time. They are still part of your clean up crew and good fish food. Good luck.

[jrossjr79]

I have fed alot, I have cut down the amount I have been feeding for the last 4 or 5 days now.