Monti eating isopod?

[rickyfins]

I found this little pod eating(?) my Monticap. He is no bigger than a flea and invisible to the naked eye until I dipped the Cap in an Iodine solution. Then the isopod willingly jumped from the host in a leap of faith trying to rid himself of the painful iodine encounter.

He is definitly an isopod because of his ability to curl and the following observations. Once found and put against contrasting background, to the naked eye he looks like a flatworm but he has a mandable, legs, eyes, and tail! Close examination under the microscope also has confirmed him being an unidentified species of isopoda because of the detail at which I could observe the creature in question.

Anyone have a really good microscope for sale? It is time for me to upgrade! I want one that accepts a Digital Camera hookup this time!

Any ideas?

thanks,

Rick

 

[wee-reefer]

It'sa pillbug. <------ Look over there...hahahahaa! poop.

 

[poconofishy]

How did you even get this photo, it's pretty cool. Any access at school?

 

[rickyfins]

No, I haven't gotten school access yet. I am getting a higher quality microscope(picture hook up) for the dungeon though, so expect more cool pics of these critters and many more.

I will have it by my B-Day Nov 20!

This picture was actually taken with a digital camera, and no he isn't eating my Montipora like I originally thought. He is eating some really ugly green algae next to it though and that's cool. I have since found thousands of these little guys on the green algae covered frag disks and other places too. They are so small they are really hard to find unless you know what you are looking for. They are the size of a flea if not smaller.

thanks,

Rick