Okinawa hitchiker

[madweazl]

Any ideas on the ID of this? The rock they (seen two of them thus far) came from was purchased at the LFS here in Okinawa Japan and stated that it was from local waters. The image was sourced from google (I havent been able to get a good pic, good excuse for a macro I guess) and the rock it was on was also from Okinawa.

The only distinguishing characterists I've seen so far are the tan and white striped antennules. Harrassed one enough that it left it's burrow but quickly ducked into another, it was drab grey in color and roughly 1-1.5" in length. I've checked out Roy's list and this was the closest visually but doesnt look like a good geographical match.

I've moved the rock to the sump until I can narrow down an ID. I dont mind losing some CUC but wanted to make sure the fish and clam(s) would be ok before reintroducing the rock.


mantis by Tarantula Foto, on Flickr

 

[Calappidae]

I'd guess Haptosquilla trispinosa just like you have based on the one coloration.. but color isn't the best method to ID an animal.

Whatever they are, Nice find nonetheless! :thumbsup:

Hopefully someone more experienced with IDs like kharn or Dr. Caldwell himself will chime in.

 

[Kharn]

It's a Haptosquilla good tough species not particularly interactive other tank inhabitants should be safe aside the smallest of creatures like pods, stomatella, etc. Mine is shy but doing strong in its HOB 4.2L nano.

 

[madweazl]

Thanks Kharn. Any perceived issues with it harming a Randalli pistol paired up with a goby?

 

[Gonodactylus]

WIthout being able to see the telson, it is difficult to ID Haptosquilla to species. It does not appear to be H. trispinosa, but there are nearly a dozen other species that it could be. When you look at the animal straight on from the front, are there bright blue patches on the first maxillipeds?

Roy

 

[madweazl]

I perceive more of a greenish tint when looking head on.

 

[madweazl]

Took a while but I got a better picture There are at least three this size (~1.5") and a couple others that are very small (<=.5"). Tank has been up 2 days shy of one month and things are moving along very well. This was a piece of dry rock that had been soaking in fresh water until November 17th. The mantis are a fun to watch (even though this lil guy popped me yesterday when I placed some zoas near it's hole (didnt notice it move in...). They dont mess with anything in the tank at all but they sure like brine shrimp! Oh, they're definitely blue

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarantula_foto/11379922093/" title="mantis by Tarantula Foto, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5533/11379922093_081f837b64_b.jpg" width="715" height="1024" alt="mantis"></a>

 

[Gonodactylus]

This is definitely a Haptosquilla. I can't tell the species without seeing the telson. There are half a dozen species that are very similar and all have the polarized blue patches on the 1st maxillipeds.

Roy

 

[madweazl]

Captured a little more in this one but focus wasnt as good.

<iframe src="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarantula_foto/11448711076/player/" height="1024" width="752" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Islandoftiki]

Great pictures. Beautiful mantis!