Montipora Spiders?

[RichardinMa]

Last night I found a spider walking around on a digitata. This is the second one I have found, the first being discovered a little over a month ago. I pulled each that I have found but do not know if they are potentially damaging to the coral or not. It is odd that both were discovered on the same frag and I do not see any damage on the coral but I am starting to wonder just how many pests target the Montis. I could not get a picture of it but did find the exact same thing on a different post here: http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=265942

Has anyone else had these pop up and have they been a problem?

 

[Reef264]

I've never seen them, But I have seen a thread or 2 about them.It is thought that they feed upon the Tissue, because most Monti's with the spiders loose there tissue for no apparent reason.I believe there scientific name is pycnogonids.

 

[EvMiBo]

I realize this thread is over 3 yearsm but... I just found three pycnogonids on a new encrusting monti frag. I had actually dipped with coral rx this morning when I got the frag, but saw them tonight with a flash light while the frag was on the frag rack. Pulled the frag and did a stronger dip (coral rx again) in a cup with a small amount of tank water. I blasted it pretty well with a small turkey baster and 3 ended up coming off.

I always thought "sea spiders" only fed on zoas. I suppose there are several different species, and some will feed on montis and potentially acros as well?