Amphipods are a diverse and abundant order of the subphylum Crustacea — they are often found in marine ecosystems and are frequently pursued as a tasty snack by saltwater fish and other water-dwelling creatures. Expert photographer, D. Scott Carruthers has seen his fair share of fish and other sea fare. Check out this list of saltwater fish that eat amphipods.
What Are Amphipods?
Amphipods are closely related to shrimp and crabs, and they have a small, flat appearance and several appendages protruding from their bodies, including a pair of antennae, a set of thoracic legs and two gnarthopods near the head. Casual aquarium hobbyists are often alarmed when they see these ‘water bugs’ swimming freely in the tank, but they provide several essential services to a healthy underwater environment. Most importantly, they serve as efficient consumers of phytoplankton and debris particles, and then as a nutritious and delicious meal to the saltwater fish that are willing to dig through sediment to find them.
Mandarinfish (Dragonets)
Although many saltwater fish have no qualms about consuming amphipods, there are only a few species that count these tiny crustaceans as their main source of food. Mandarinfish, which are small, beautifully colored members of the dragonet family, feed extensively on amphipods — in fact, aquarium owners who keep more than one mandarinfish in a system will certainly have to periodically replenish that system with amphipods. These fish may actually refuse to consume anything besides live amphipods and copepods, so they are an excellent choice for aquarium owners who believe they may be facing an infestation.
Sand Sifting Gobies
Many varieties of sand sifting gobies also enjoy feasting on amphipods. Because their classic feeding technique involves running their mouths along the sand or rocks on the ocean floor, they frequently come into contact with amphipods of all types. Sleeper gobies and signal gobies have been found in the wild with large quantities of amphipods in their stomachs, and acquiring two or three of them should keep any aquarium’s amphipod problem under control.
Seahorses
Seahorses primarily consume amphipods, but they are considered challenging fish to raise in an aquarium setting. Novice aquarium owners should not attempt to house seahorses with other varieties of saltwater fish.
Experts at marine ecosystem stores such as Aquarium Depot can also recommend other saltwater fish that are not primary predators of amphipods, but will eat them every once in a while. These species include fire fishes, angel fish, and wrasse fish. Visit your local Aquarium Depot or contact the staff by phone or online to inquire further about saltwater fish that will keep the amphipod population under control in your system.