Quinn,
I don't trust these bugs either, mostly because they are capable of swimming. If they were bottom feeders, they would have no need to swim anywhere because there is an almost endless supply of ocean bottom to live in/on.
These look like adults to me. Maybe their larvae could have had a hand in doing in my angels.
J,
Kind of looks like a harmless pill bug, doesn't it? They even roll up like a pill bug would. But there are thousands of isopod species, some detritus/dead-live algae eaters, and then there's the parasitic ones. There are so few diagrams and photos of the various species that, dang, I need to err on the side of caution here and suspect these bugs to be baddies.
Brad,
Judging from the research generated by the above links, plus a serious bunch of Google searches, I've found out the not all isopods are parasitic. But can't tell about these guys and I don't want to take any chances. Don't think I'll rock 'em though. Just put 'em in the freezer
Did add some frozen food with fish as a major component. The bugs didn't go near it at first, but are now eating it with gusto. I think a live fish would be a better test, but I don't think I'm going to set up a tank for that test. Hmm. Maybe I might, though....
Bartman,
The move in a forward manner, leading with the eyes.
Whatever they are, we're going to watch that tank like hawks with our flashlights. If they are parasitic, there is a period of time when they can live without hosts. After that, they will naturally die. May have to extend the fallow period to make sure that if these bugs are parasitic that they and their larvae are all gone before the new fish arrive. That's going to be a tall order, especially not knowing their life cycle and what the larvae look like
Thanks, all, for your input
