Scuds in Your Planted Aquarium - Why We Love Scuds

[@tomi.d]

A 47 minute video about scuds? YES, please! I also keep them in all of my tanks, and also maintain a separate fishless culture with other live foods. All of your experiences with scuds mirror my own. Great job.

[@phillipsfishworks]

Glad to hear it and thank you so much for the kind words... I keep saying I'll be able to get caught and put out more content! As always, more to come! Thanks for watching!

[@joefoglia735]

So I bought the bag of bugs, should I let them reproduce for a while before putting into my fish tank? I don't want my fish to wipe them out lol

[@arthurcutaiar9994]

​@@joefoglia735yes, you can grow a self sustaining culture. But you can cheat a little, dig a small amount out as a intermittent treat for your fish.

[@tommidrab83]

What other creatures are you raising ? Getting back into hobby and looking for interesting ideas. Thx

[@Blue22AP]

​@@joefoglia735 I want to order some and have the same question. What did you end up doing, and how was the outcome?

[@AquaTerra77]

I’ve watched this video at least 10 times. I like to listen to it when I’m doing aquarium maintenance.

[@phillipsfishworks]

😁😁😁 I really appreciate that! Working on a couple of really big projects at the moment but the plan is to make more long form content like that video. Thanks for watching!

[@pwrthepath]

I have never been so interested in hearing about scuds, your voice and the way you explain it is so therapeutic and inspirational at the same time, so informative and the music and visuals with it is perfect.

[@phillipsfishworks]

Thanks! I really appreciate the kind words! More to come!

[@FishFace2216]

Excellent stuff, creating natural environments like this are what makes an ecosystem in a glass box sustain itself forever. Subbed for being a true to nature channel.

[@towzone]

I love scuds. I’ve been keeping them for a couple of decades. Very useful and fun to watch. Especially watching a beta hunting them.

[@phillipsfishworks]

You're amazing with bettas. Such a joy to watch them hunt down the scuds. Thanks for you story!

[@earthgirl7267]

I now care about the tiny critters in my aquarium. The beauty of everything. Thank you for sharing. 🐟🩵🙌

[@andrewfenna7392]

This is a fantastic and informative video. I quit the hobby thirty years ago but started a natural tank three months ago and am loving the difference 👍

[@djt7387]

Wow, what a contrast. I think some of the clean tanks are nice. However I think this is how it was meant to be.

[@phillipsfishworks]

Thank you so much! Similar boat but not such a large time a gap in between. Good luck!

[@lynx2cross]

This is one of the most thorough videos on scuds. I am nervous about adding these guys so I want to learn as much as possible.

[@cheook7029]

​ @lynx2cross well, see the link in the description, you can buy scuds from his shop. I for myself descided against them, because I have a planted aquarium with shrimp and snails, and a) I really don't want anything eating live plants and b) I don't want anything outcompete the shrimp.

[@mr.octopus6972]

Same story here. My hobby that I tought I hated came back to life. Under 3 months I have gone from never ever again to two 30gal one 20 gal and two 1 gal and one 5 gal tanks ... oh me 😂

[@RolandRees]

I just love the extra sound effects. Oh like chewing ones food and the, the most, chase scene.

[@petrlonsky2332]

Absolutely amazing sense of how things work in nature. Hope this way of thinking will soon spread not only to aquarists, but also to agriculture and forestry 🕊

[@ColorzGuppyFarm]

47 min long and yes i watched until the end. Thanks for all the insightful information. Learning alot!

[@phillipsfishworks]

😁😁😁 Thanks!

[@glennk.7348]

Cool!!! Added to my aquarium subscriptions!

[@rldickie]

I'd watch more of these long form videos. Got back into the hobby a few months ago with the Father Fish method and I'm loving it more than last time. Ten gallon full of plants and fish with snails and scuds.

[@JFerguson777]

Ordered my first Scuds from Phillopfishworks. I'm looking forward to seeing them in my aquariums.

[@usmc187]

First time I saw a scud in my tank, I thought it was a parasite and was ready to go nuclear to have them removed. But, knowing more about this organisms today, I look forward to having more of them in my tanks.

[@phillipsfishworks]

Scuds are fun and lovable to watch! Thanks for watching!

[@EmEm78]

Haha, I remember way back in my early aquarium keeping days, how I freaked out when I saw a few detritus worms in one of my tanks😂 Now, aside from culturing various live foods in larger amounts, I also keep jarrariums devoted to various zooplankton and combinations of different species. My favourite jarrarium right now is the one that mainly features scuds and ostracods. I love sitting and watching them just living their little lives in their tiny universes. Although I have lots of cool fish that I enjoy watching too, it's quite surprising and amazing to observe just how fascinating the little creatures are too. Not enough people seem to appreciate the vast array of smaller creatures that will eventually establish themselves in healthy ecosystems :)

[@EmEm78]

​@@phillipsfishworksscuds and ostracods are my two "live food" cultures" that I keep primarily as pets, and prefer to enjoy keeping and observing them rather than feeding them out. They're underrated, fascinating little animals! Most evenings before bed, I'll sit and observe my zooplankdton jarrariums for a half hour or so. Watching them doing their thing is very calming and relaxing, while also being endlessly fascinating.

[@DavidRodriguez-jt1ns]

This was an honest and very interesting informative video about scuds, it's videos like this that keep my sense of wonder alive, thank you for such an interesting video.

[@taytayvonne]

Why is this so relaxing to listen to? 😅 I’m lying in bed with my eyes closed soaking up your voice and information. I’m new to the aquarium hobby and found a scud with a plant I purchased. I was terrified at first but now I’m happy to place him in his new home for however long he may last. ❤

[@lndiscalling]

Great video, people don't always appreciate some aspects of building an ecosystem and Asellus Aquaticus are a part of that in the same way that snails and shrimp complement each other. They're more resilient than most aquatic creatures, can withstand even brackish water, low oxygen, vast Ph and temperature ranges though they prefer it lower, and even water quality where Ammonia is present. They go great in planted tanks and are really like a lesser known Amano shrimp in their effectiveness.

[@phillipsfishworks]

I'll have to do some more culturing with them! I have a very small population in one of my experimental jars at home. I get so busy I've forgotten about these guys. You've given me some great inspiration. Thanks!

[@curvingfyre6810]

Wish they were easier to get online, I only know of one place, and they don't do very good pricing.

[@glassguitar1]

Even if someone didn't have an aquarium or keep fish this is a fantastic video. Its also got an excellent, chill, relaxing vibe with a narrator who sounds kinda like Chris Pratt.

[@andrewgoldfish]

I use to see little critters swimming around when I started my dirt planted tank ten years ago. I’m about to redo it and this video was very helpful.

[@davidolivares6421]

I love this stuff man, i found scuds in my outdoor tanks recently and freaked out. seeing your content helps a lot, I've now embraced scuds' and feed a bit less in all my tanks.

[@davidolivares6421]

Crazy, i just also spotted my first shrimp offspring in the middle of watching this video. The tank has a huge scud family and my plants, shrimp and otos seems to live well even with minnimal feeding.

[@raeofsunshine369]

I love my scuds! I have them in my shrimp tanks. Pretty big population in with my blue dreams. I've been watching them closely and so far they haven't touched the plants. I pull some out every week for my rams. I think they are adorable little creatures.

[@phillipsfishworks]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! It's incredible how well they can survive in adverse situations. No wonder they have made their way around the planet and into an our aquariums. 😁😁😁

[@iankrom510]

Awesome video! Have you ever considered releasing longer videos like this as podcasts? I'd love to be able to say listen to this as I go to sleep and pick out new details each time!

[@phillipsfishworks]

All is in the works 😁

[@ColorzGuppyFarm]

same here! I just let this video run on my tv and sit back and listen. So a Podcast on say Spotify would be great too. However I do prefer the voice over while watching a tank, its relaxing at the same time.

[@phillipsfishworks]

@ColorzGuppyFarm We are in the process of putting that together... Definitely want to do more long form talks.... The podcast will be co-hosted by my wife and will be a good way for us to keep everyone updated with what's going on with Phillips Fish Works... There's so much going on that no one ever hears about. Some kind of weekly update would be helpful on top of regular videos. Thanks for watching and keep your eye out. We are just getting started!

[@ColorzGuppyFarm]

@@phillipsfishworks That sounds great Tony! You definately have inspired me to do more!

[@user-bigschnoz]

Just found your channel through LRB aquatics and purchased one of these Scud Balls packs. I used to be around those little spiked seeds but have since moved, excited for them to come in! Thank you for providing long form, in depth videos on these little creatures. Nothing helps me understand more about something than videos like this, it'll greatly help my ability to keep these active and flourishing.

[@davidmorrill2943]

Great Scientific and philosophical discussion.

[@rickey698]

Your videos are so informative!!!I always seed new tanks with snails, scuds, seed shrimp, or blackworms before I add fish. This gives them a chance to get established

[@thelizardman89]

Had I seen this video and your page a week ago, I would have ordered the bag of bugs instead of just a scud culture. This is awesome and I will be ordering soon. Both of my aquariums are fully planted, natural setups. The scuds are thriving in my 10 gallon. I can't wait for one of the kids to have a life science project to do, I'm going to setup a bag of bugs in a 5 gallon tank I have with maybe a couple of neon tetras.

[@phillipsfishworks]

Thank you so much for your support! By the end of November we are going to launch a whole bunch of new products on the website, including a gallon jar ecosystem kit. Have fun with the experimenting!

[@justinkruger403]

I'm new to natural fish tanks and reserection jar. This was really helpful for me

[@D-angelin.Moarar]

Great video, so informative and pleasant to listen to. Got myself a small aquascape of about 5 gallon, where I keep scuds and some snails. Really industrious and funny creatures, I absolutely love it. I don't feed all that much, so I occasionally see them munch on some of the more tender plants like duckweed, but those grow much faster than the scuds can eat them.

[@phillipsfishworks]

Glad to hear! Keep up the experimenting!

[@StephaN..187]

I just recieved my bag o' bugs and leaves! Im excited to see the results.

[@danielx9801]

Best Scud video out there by far!!!

[@TheCory888]

Great information, I had no idea how scuds could be so beneficial when done correctly.

[@Fauxkerykes]

This was very helpful. I'm trying to set up an all natural tank - the best I can.

[@shaunhall6834]

When they introduced wolves in Yellowstone it had a profound change of bringing back a diverse habitat. You go there now and the place is thriving. This is the same thing. New subscriber. ❤

[@mterenzi]

I have been on the fence about adding scuds to my planted aquarium for quite a while. I really love the idea of having a cleanup crew. My tank has some snails as well as some shrimp to help tidy up after the community fish. I always viewed scuds as a clean up crew member, just smaller. But you read so many posts about them being a bad addition to planted tanks it makes you cautious. I have placed an order and I hope to come back a post my experience so that people can make the best decision for their own aquarium.

[@phillipsfishworks]

They're so very variables that come into play. What kind of fish do you have in this community aquarium?

[@mterenzi]

@@phillipsfishworks Well I plan on adding the order to a 10 gallon tank that only has plants. I hope to populate my 30 gallon tank that has some white cloud minnows and red tailed raspboras. And a pair of amano shrimp.

[@deschan1596]

Scuds are doing a geat job indeed, even better than shrimps. All algae in my tank has gone within days. My aquarium looks so clear and clean with this cleaning crew. Thanks for sharing this video.😊

[@alisongoerner7457]

I love to hear you “blab on forever”. ❤ I have really nerded out over scuds, daphnia, and all the critters. I go to my local pond, but I have not found any scuds yet, with all my sifting and netting and water hauling. Arrggg! But so much fun, and gratifying to be able to disconnect from the “real” world and focus on the minutiae of the microscopic.

[@rachelslade9076]

You gotta just grab a big handful of mucky leaves from the bottom of a body of water. I even got all of mine from a tiny stream in the woods, so any pond will have even more. But they’re FAST, you gotta have your jar right there to plop the mucky leaves in bc they’ll try to escape. I’ve never found any by grabbing a jar of water, but if i put a few inches of water in the jar and then cram as much decomposing muck/mud/leaves as I can fit, and let it settle until the water is easy to see into, you’ll find plenty

[@ESF19791111]

WAW...IT WAS VERY EXCITING TO HEAR YOU EXPLAINING ABOUT SCUDS ECOSISTEM :) YOUR EXPLANATION IS THE LONGEST AND THE MOST EXPLANATORY I HEARD FROM PROBABLY 20 OR 30 VIDEOS ABOUT SCUDS ! GREAT EXPLANATION VIDEO :) I DID A THUMB-UP ABOUT THE VIDEO AND SUBSCRIBED TO THE CHANNEL :) THANK YOU FOR YOU EFFORT :) THANK YOU FOR SHARING :) THANK YOU FROM ISRAEL :)

[@phillipsfishworks]

Thank you very much for the kind words! More to come! 😁😁😁

[@Aloof_Buddha]

Those two scuds were really going at it.

[@RonaldCardy]

Have watched & listened followed your progress since the beginning along with all the negative comments 😡but you’ve stayed positive & informative & have developed your own platform as does father fish/ practical & informative well worth any new hobbyist watching 😎👍

[@phillipsfishworks]

Thanks! I really appreciate your support! Yeah, I'm not surprised by the negative comments. There are a lot of people out there with strong opinions and closed minds. But it takes us all to have a diverse, interesting hobby... I try to help anywhere I can especially if a customer has an issue. I do everything I can to fix it. The reality is some people don't want things fixed. They need a reason to fight and be mad. And again that's okay with me. I'm not here to judge anyone... I'm here to share my experience in the hopes it will help someone else improve their experience... I have way too many "good" things going on in my life to worry about negative comments. I do really appreciate you watching 😁😁😁 There is so much more to come and so much more going on that never makes it to KZbin.

[@RonaldCardy]

@@phillipsfishworks I’ve had a 100g small fish community tank going on 45 yrs enjoyed the diversity well planted willing to try any idea that floats my boat always fun like yourself & father fish algae, snails, critters, shrimps all the fun stuff never grows old always something happening never got caught up in the must have the newest bit off kit slow & easy changes time to adjust has worked fine for yrs keep up the good work much appreciated your endless willingness to share & promote the Hobby😎👍

[@gailtenaglia4398]

I am trying to go natural. Thebes I have done is a dirted bottom tank . I would like to do scuds but they creep me out . I love my fish , even putting my hand in the tank is uncomfortable for me I do do , cleaning the filter is the worst . I am not against natural . I had a pond outside with a waterfall lucky for me it took care of uts self . Maybe in time I will get scuds . I subscribed longtime ago , you never came up on my feed untill today . Hope you keep showing . Thank you 😊

[@GloryBe007]

Thank you for making this hobby even more interesting and certainly more graspable and doable. I, too, end up watching scuds and those little tiny microfauna with great interest. I definitely don't cringe as before 😅

[@Mattcc3]

I’m in Canada after watching your videos I really want to keep scuds

[@animablo]

You make long videos and they are very good for me to learn

[@lindasanders8544]

Getting ready to set up a larger tank and this is exactly what I wanted to know.

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Great video. Excited to receive my order next week

[@thehairywoodsman5644]

AWESOME ! best video about scuds on youtube !! I love scuds , have them in every tank .

[@phillipsfishworks]

Thank you. I really appreciate that!

[@LeminyFresh]

I have to say I really appreciate this video because you touch on a point that I have been thinking about and applying to my tanks, that being the ecosystem within the aquarium. Having those various microfauna in a tank to “chew the food” is a boon to any aquarium and I wish we saw creatures like scuds and bladder snails as helpers rather than pests.

[@brendosapien]

Hey, thanks for taking your time with this talk and for the beautiful visuals of your ecosystems. Inspires me to do more with mine. I resonate very much with all that you've said here; your understanding of ecology is on pro level. Subscribed and looking forward to more in depth long form deep dives like this..

[@Ceretrea]

Brilliant video, very well explained. I never thought about it in terms of spoiling my view of natural behaviour by teaching them how to beg instead. I look foward to seeing my future fish hunting their own food 😊

[@TnT_F0X]

I just cleaned my shrimp tank and dumped around 100 Ramshorns and 1000 Scuds into my pond. Thought I got most of them, but every morning when I click the light on it looks like Futurama traffic with all the different sized scuds swimming all over with the shrimp. They got real comfortable when I took the mosquito fish out cause I saw a shrimp with eggs.

[@Kittonkitkat]

First time i saw these guys in my tank (they hitchhiked from a plant i bought) i panicked like hell! So worried about my shrimps and betta. Now theyre welcome in my tank, i do hope they don't go crazy on my plants though. I used to pick them out one by one but that was so tedious. Theyre welcome to stay now, main thing is they're safe.

[@ColorzGuppyFarm]

its crazy right? I see so many people freaking out on fb groups about foreign things (to them) in their tanks, they want nothing in there but fish. The hobby has been groomed by manufactures. Its so sterile.

[@vblackwell3347]

​@@ColorzGuppyFarm !!!!!!! 😊

[@johnvandenbor2387]

Great video I was concerned about getting scuds but you have made it clear enough for me to feel comfortable with the idea of introducing them into my tank.

[@CabbageWorm-hh7tp]

Love the longer form content - also love to watch scuds do what scuds do best

[@ChiannaNycole]

Love the long form videos, thank you for posting ❤

[@MandyJane123700]

I put one of my scud balls in a little 1 gallon that I use to keep plant trimmings. I watch the scuds almost as much as I watch the fish in my other tanks.

[@absolutelyunepic3072]

Yes! My scud/snail tank is one of my most interesting tanks to me.

[@MichaelClifford2020]

This was excellent, Tony! I could listen for hours! Tomorrow is delivery day, oh yeah!

[@rudybriskar5267]

This is the best video I've found on this topic! I'm planning on adding scuds and daphnia to my aquariums. I'm having to order everything online since I live on a remote island in Southeast Alaska and there's no LFS here.

[@ILIKEUALOT]

Thnk you for this vid. I love all of those wiggly creatures in my bowls/aquariums.

[@phillipsfishworks]

Addicting aren't they! Thanks for watching!

[@junglenook]

So happy I found your channel! Ill defiantly recommend you to my viewers.

[@ubern00bz0r]

Subscribed. Great video. Look forward to more like this.

[@Charon-eq2rn]

I love your video and how long it is. It’s a very informative video about scuds. Just like a podcast. Keep it up!❤

[@salvadoresouza8917]

I love your videos! I just purchased my second order from you, it came in the mail today. I’m sure I’ll be back soon for a third purchase. Thanks so much! -Sal

[@BugzNBeanz]

I loved watching the amphipods scurry about in my nano reef tank! I’ll need to get some for my fw shrimp tank. Thanks for planting the idea! 💡

[@nobodyxx560]

You have the cultures I strive to make

[@phillipsfishworks]

😁😁😁

[@daniellesomerville3018]

Loved this talk! I have scuds in every tank but none more and healthier than my shrimp breeding tank with exclamation point Rasbora.

[@jonisolis9645]

Wow, long and good. A lot of great information. I want to try them now.

[@Foxinamangle2]

I've been planning a bioactive 75 community tank. I've been interested in establishing a population of little critters such as copepods to really enhance this ecosystem I have in mind. Maybe scuds would be a great addition to my plan!

[@phillipsfishworks]

What kind of fish are in this community? Sounds like a great environment! Thanks for watching!

[@WilliamWelch-ow7kb]

I have Tony’s scuds and shrimp and snails in all my natural tanks. I love watching my scuds. Them little devils ain’t scared of any of my tetras. Swim right past like catch me if you can attitude 🤣 I’m having explosion of shrimp in one tank with scuds and ember tetra. Actually have had ember babies appear from the jungle of plants!! So exciting and the scuds or parents neither ate them. I have a 10 gallon scuds only and they are multiplying like crazy! I give a thin slice of zucchini and tiny bit of fish food about once every two weeks. I found my scuds also love floating plants to hide in, maybe getting the fish food that gets trapped in the floating plants? I’m getting ready to order more scuds and shrimp from Tony. PS my scuds and shrimp love each other and I don’t notice either outdoing each other!

[@bethhollingsworth]

Awesome! Thank you. Your comment made me decide to buy his "bag of bugs" for my 20 gallon blue dream/ember tank. I've had trouble getting anyone to breed so far and this confirmed what I was looking for 😂

[@WilliamWelch-ow7kb]

Hey Beth, all my tanks are dirted and sand capped, like “Father Fish “ concept and planted to death, river rock and woods. I actually use a 1/3 of my NC river water and 2/3 my well water. Tony’s scud balls and leaves. Tannins in water, South American environment. I only top off with the well water and I just trust in myself and the plants to keep my babies happy, I discovered those baby embers when I was removing a ton of hornwort. I use the hygger sponge filters so all baby life stays safe. The scuds love sponge too and the baby shrimp stay on them. Tony’s shrimp have babies like crazy! I’ve Decided that red root floaters (the only ones I can keep under control) also makes a great place for the scuds and fish to hide and feed in. I also grow Tony’s white worms to feed as a treat. I only feed maybe 3 times a week. Happy fishing!

[@cjday573]

I was just looking up natural planted aquariums because I was curious how soil respiration and turnover could be achieved in the aquarium, and I realized that most aquariums are sterile compared to ponds and lakes in terms of biodiversity so I figured there needed to be more decomposers for this to occur in aquariums and this idea rabbit hole led me to your website selling microfauna, and now here. I'm definitely curious to the benefits these creatures might provide in a more natural planted aquarium setting (deep largely inorganic substrate with a organic top layer, and additional sporadic organics added).

[@miashadows]

Will be getting more for a new tank soon! Love these little cuties

[@AbdullahAzrael]

It's perfect because if you have to go on a trip or something you can always put your light on a timer and know that your tank will hold its own.

[@AndrewFishman]

Great video.

[@jeanmccoy2318]

Thanks for all the info on scuds!

[@manskarlsson5897]

Great video! Love the format. Just found your channel through this video, am gonna look into more of them😊

[@McL0VINNN]

I got some Azteca too. Once they grew too much, they started doing sacrifices on the weekends.

[@dtt719]

Nice video that made me feel a lot better about my situation. I somehow got scuds and multiple species “pest” snails. After reading online I began to worry a bit. I have loads of plants, shrimp, 30 rasbora hengeli, and 3 scarlet badis. So I’m hoping my fish will keep them in check along with competition from the shrimp. I only see them occasionally in the hair grass carpet so far. I feed lightly once to twice a day. I may go down to only once a day or every other day. I have noticed the once skiddish fish aren’t really afraid of me anymore and actually come out to wherever I’m working on the aquarium so maybe I’m feeding too much.

[@greggr8976]

Just ordered some for my fish father tank. Thank you!

[@absolutelyunepic3072]

Tip, start a backup culture with no predators for maximum turnout. I keep mine in a 20 gallon

[@enzosoprano6992]

Nice video thank you for that!. Here's a short story. I grew up seeing scuds all the time at the sea and in the fresh water ponds. When I was a little kid I loved scuds so much that I went to the pond near my house then I put some in a jar then Iater I put them in my bath water...and yes I learned they will die if it's too hot and no it is not a toy lol

[@MrChidorinagashi10]

Your voice is calming bro

[@adambushman2928]

Love this kind of video. If the content is good, I’ll watch it for 2+ hours

[@Sea-cucumber1151]

33:48 or so what are the leach looking creatures scooting along the bottom. Snail leaches? Planaria?

[@ryanboscoe9670]

I got a starter culture of gammarus sp. A minth ago and i have become obsessed with the little fellas! I love microfauna in general but these guys have hit the top of my list! I originally got them to feed my guppies im breeding, but they havent eaten a single one 😂😂 not until i have an ARMY!

[@gregorynull5630]

I love the long form Video, please make more, I have watched it 3 or 4 times already & learn something every time that I watch it, I have a 29 gallon natural tank with lots of plants, drift wood, Patties, snails, kuhli loaches, beta, bristle nose pleco, now I know what is missing my natural aquarium, what is the most diverse of your products that I can add?

[@suehubbard7224]

That was really interesting, I had only heard the name 'scuds' a week or so ago. I learned a lot and you explained it perfectly, even I understand all the benefits and pitfalls now 😂 I'm in the UK and been around fish keeping all my life but this has passed me by Thank you so much 😊

[@DarrylDexter-np8qo]

That's a lot of information. ..thank you

[@phillipsfishworks]

There's so much more to come. Thanks for watching!

[@adamberg5809]

Thanks for this video, I just ordered a bag of bugs!

[@Hater-ip9nc]

I love that you talk about spiritual things, but people think you are talking about microfauna. You are smart, a magician, trying to save people when you are not allowed to. ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@phillipsfishworks]

There is only "one great happening" after all... Thank you for hearing me. ❤️❤️❤️

[@johnheaton2545]

I think most of the horror stories about scuds come from wholesalers who try to raise scud monocultures for profit. I recently tried this, and well, for the first time in my life I lost a jar full of stem plants to hungry scuds. When I keep scuds under predation in a community tank with a variety of species, I don't have these problems. I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest that the horror stories we here about other creatures besides scuds, including planaria, snail leeches, and hydra being "bad" for shrimp aquariums also come from wholesalers who try to raise shrimp monocultures for profit. There is a reason why monocultures have problems like this. If you aren't raising any sort of wholesale-style monoculture, then you don't need to worry about small opportunistic predators. In a natural and balanced ecosystem, these creatures help to make long-term sustainability possible. I have a 75 gallon tank that I set up to emulate a natural pond. I started off with a dozen CPDs and 2 dozen neocardinia and a whole bunch of plants. In a little over a years time, the neocardinia population has nearly tripled under predation from CPDs, scuds, planaria, and snail leeches. I never feed the tank. It feeds itself. The plants are a bit stringy, and there is green spot algae everywhere, so it ain't pretty to look at, but the system maintains itself, and has for over a year. I guess the big takeaway here is that diversity is strength,

[@cookedmilktv]

i listened to this video like a podcast while i did all my tank maintenance. 10/10, i could listen to you ramble about microfauna all damn day.

[@FusionDeveloper]

I've never raised Sea Monkeys (brine shrimp), but I have a feeling, scuds are infinitely simpler and infinitely easier. Best of all, scuds are free locally.

[@rowdyyeets4532]

@ 33:21 the random wormy looking creature appearing at the lower right 😄

[@rimibchatterjee]

It’s a planarian

[@eboycampbell7305]

Scuds are both a curse and a blessing. Great for fish, bane of my shrimp.

[@vazquezcmp]

Great video. Subbed and will be ordering soon.

[@johnnybest6386]

The scuds population are thriving in all my tanks when i first bougth it from you......

[@Staggo_L]

Excellent video. I learned a lot. Thanks.

[@carlhannusch3929]

the scud eating the shrimp at 38:57 right as he is talking about how scuds won't eat your shrimp 🤣 great video tho, definitely will be experimenting with scuds now

[@nordicfalcon]

Not to be Donnie Downer, but that's a snail lol. Unless I'm missing the Waldoian scud lol.

[@marct138]

best way to get them? I somehow got copopods and detritus worms in my Cheery shrimp tank. I have no idea how they got there but im glad they did. Im gonna rescape that tank and also have to move it. Gonna make a dirted substrate with sand cap but I dont wanna lose my micro fauna.

[@jacquesethier]

I have leaf litter in jars on my windowsill. I have three tanks,all natural

[@formulachan]

Just find your channel, great info.

[@sandorrabe5745]

Thank you! I'm going to see where i can source these in the netherlands.

[@OkraPlutonium]

Subbed. I'm doing an all natural dirted, planted tank based on Father Fish methods.