Shrimp or copepods in pool?

[TheBigBlueFrog]

I was emptying the bag from our pool vac, and found some small (≈5mm) pink-orange shrimp or copepods in the bag. I let the bag dry out before I empty it, so I’m not sure if they’re a different color before they dehydrated. I’ll try to get some pictures next time.

Anyone else ever find aquatic Arthropoda in their pool? We’ve been keeping our FC between 7 and 11. This is our first warm weather since starting up our SWG so we’re fluctuating a little more than I’d like. Wonder if I should raise the FC for a few days just in case.

 

[TheBigBlueFrog]

Here’s a photo, with a US dime for scale. None of them were alive.

 

[kellyfair]

Wow. Ok, that’s a first! I wonder if your location has anything to do with it? Maybe they were in larvae stage and passed through a bird or something.

I think I’d do SLAM level for 2-3 days, just to make sure.

 

[TheBigBlueFrog]

They look a lot like these Fairy Shrimp. The article says their eggs are resistant to drought and can be carried by the wind.

 

[TheBigBlueFrog]

Or this species, found in my state.

 

[jark87]

Sea monkeys!

 

[TheBigBlueFrog]

Sea monkeys!

Basically. Just a larger species in the same family.

The bad news is that it seems the egg cyst form is resistant to all kinds of chemicals, drought, UV radiation, the vacuum of space...

I don’t think a SLAM is going to get rid of them. The good news is that they seem to be getting sucked up by the pool vac as adults, so I should be able to get them out. I’ll probably have to clean my filter to get rid of any that were small enough to get through the pump strainer.

 

[RonsPlc]

more good news is as your water warms up, they will die off.

 

[JJ_Tex]

"Pool Shrimp"

 

[mgtfp]

Probably Lawn Prawns (probably called Lawn Shrimps in the US, but I think Lawn Prawns sounds catchier):

‘Weird’ bug appearing in Aussie laundries

It’s Easter next week which means seafood is in high demand, especially prawns.

www.news.com.au

I got them for the first time this summer. They get washed into the pool and die there pretty quickly. Don't think it's anything to be worried about. Just make sure your FC is up, and vacuum them out or let the robot run.

 

[Justhereforthebugs]

Cicada nymphs?

 

[TheBigBlueFrog]

Probably Lawn Prawns (probably called Lawn Shrimps in the US, but I think Lawn Prawns sounds catchier):

‘Weird’ bug appearing in Aussie laundries

It’s Easter next week which means seafood is in high demand, especially prawns.

www.news.com.au

I got them for the first time this summer. They get washed into the pool and die there pretty quickly. Don't think it's anything to be worried about. Just make sure your FC is up, and vacuum them out or let the robot run.

I think you're right!

amphipods - (Crustacea: Amphipoda)

This definitely matches what I've found, and they turn red or orange when they die.

Thanks!

 

[mgtfp]

Yep, that's what mine did, too. We sometimes got a bigger load after heavy rains. I'd clean out the skimmer basket, and tell my wife "fire up the barbie, we're having prawns for lunch".

 

[kellyfair]

I used to love shrimp...

 

[mgtfp]

I used to love shrimp...

Why "used to"?

Allergy? Ate too many? Pool infested with them?

 

[kellyfair]

Why "used to"?

Allergy? Ate too many? Pool infested with them?

The OP’s photo has grossed me out just a bit!

 

[CraigChing]

I showed my wife this thread and said “pass the zesty Crosse and Blackwell!” I do believe the sound she made was a gagging sound

 

[mgtfp]

Ok, the infestation issue...

I thought they looked quite cool. Rather fish these out of the basket then one of those:

Today's crop from the skimmer basket:

View attachment 150328


Still alive and kicking...

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Skippy found two crawdads in our pool. We live in Georgia, ain't no crawdads here!

 

[kellyfair]

Ok, the infestation issue...

I thought they looked quite cool. Rather fish these out of the basket then one of those:

Ok, I literally cringed when I opened that attachment!