anyone know anything about linkia parasites?

[miketron75]

Is this a commensal organism, it is exactly the same color as the star?. Or is it maybe a crustacean parasite of some sort...They arent snails, they are lightning fast , i think shrimp or prob crustacean/copapod/isopod parasite the star looks perfect but there are about ten of these fast moving tiny flea-like things on it.....???

 

[Lynnmw1208]

That's really interesting, I'm definitely sticking around to see this answer myself!

 

[miketron75]

Nothing? Help!!!

 

[waldomas]

When in doubt, yank 'em out!
If they are moving quickly they look like they cound be amphipods or mysis? Just watch for the "parasitic" isopods.

I was reading a different thread on your "tidepool tank" and am wondering if you have a build thread?

 

[Sk8r]

Post this in the Invertebrate forum: we have a couple of invert specialists that might be able to id it.

 

[noahm]

I am curious if they might be amphipods that are pigmented from eating the dead skin of the star. A lot of things that have a singular diet will do that.