Small jumpers and mussel cancers
Small jumpers
The small jumper (Cyclops) is one of the most frequent small cancers in our domestic waters and belongs to the group of the webfoot cancers (Copepoden).
Small jumpers and Cyclops are the same animals. They appertain to the small cancers and are related to the water fleas.
Small jumpers, also called webfoot cancers, belong to the tribe of the Coppepodes and in total they are divided in 10 subordinations.
Most frequently the small jumper (Macro Cyclops albidus) is to be found in aquariums.
Small jumpers move spasmodically through the water from what their name originates and they are approx. 0.5 - 5 mm small. With a precise look you can recognize two small antennae which they use as sensors for the moving. The females wear according to their order, one or two egg bags at the legs which are entirely missing at the masculine ones. From the eggs of the Copepoden the so called Nauplius-larves slip out and they are retired directly into the water.
Mussel cancers
Mussel cancers (Ostrakodes) resemble to small or oval globules. They got their name because of their two sleeve halves which give them the appearance of a mussel. There are totally more than 2000 mussel cancer types. They move evenly at objects or at the ground but also free swimming through the aquarium and have the same size like the small jumpers.
Their two front antennae are used for the moving what gets visible under the microscope. According to the small jumpers they give the eggs mostly to the free water. However, some types keep the eggs for some time in their shell room for the breeding care.
Both small cancer types can be brought to the basin by plants, decoration, feeds, etc. They are not harmful either for shrimps or for other inhabitants of the aquarium.
They live on algae and bacteria and, however, they are a welcome booty of many fishes.
Abatement:
If the animals interrupt you it is possible to use small fishes as abatement. Often the small cancers disappear by itself. |
