Petshrimp.com Discussion Forum

Found this interesting critter in some wild duckweed I collected from an overgrown pond. Not sure what it is, but up close it really resembles a little shrimp- except the eggs are in the wrong place, if those are even eggs.

These pics are 60x actual size. This critter is 4-5 mm long. If anyone knows what this might be, let me know.






























200x closeup of the eye

Looks like an amphipod (scud) to me. It's probably Hyalella azteca.

Hi , good to see you again. You are fortunate to have found a specimen with eggs, will they hatch soon? Thanks again for the great pics.

I think i may have figured it out with a GIS, but correct me if Im wrong

Scud, Gammarus

I've read that freshwater amphipods like gammarus and hyalella eat blue-green algae. (http://www.bcadventure.com/adventure/an ... rimp.phtml) Anyone know if they are any good at controlling BGA in aquariums?

I would think they might work but only if you have no fish. Fish find them very tasty

They would be sharing a tank with red cherry shrimp and various kinds of snails. I'm pretty sure that the place is bursting at the seams with peace, love and vegetarianism.

Mustafa wrote:Looks like an amphipod (scud) to me. It's probably Hyalella azteca.

Sorry Mustafa, I didnt see your post up there, I guess you beat me to it.

I tried scuds for a while and found them to be disgusting. They made no significant difference and ended up chewing holes in my plants. I ended up using a gourami to get rid of them.

If you have a BGA problem and have tried the normal methods to get rid of it, like lots of water changes and reduced light, test your make-up water. Some town water is high in phosphates and nitrates, especially in farm areas.