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Isopods

Photo by: yota924x4

Class: Malacostraca
Order: Isopoda

Isopods have a flattened oval body, typically no bigger than 1 cm in reef tanks. The color is usually a dull leathery gray or white. They can be found at the bottom of the tank scavenging for detritus and microalgae. There are parasitic isopods that attach themselves to the body surface of the fish and inside the fish's mouth. These types of isopods are exceedingly rare in captivity, but if found such occurrences can be cured with the use of treatments that include organophosphate (e.g. DTHP; Neguvon, Masoten, Dylox). The isopods shown are parasitic and feed off the blood of fish.

Adrienne Stanton 10/15/2003

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