Pix & ID: Critters that come in your rocks: the good and the bad.

[btmedic04]

Is this an Isopod or amphipod?

 

[SushiGirl]

Too hard to tell from that shot. How does it move?

 

[btmedic04]

it was just crawling across the rocks very potato bug like. had 2 small antenna at its head if that helps any

 

[Dctrojan]

Particularly interested in the oink hairy mass

 

[SushiGirl]

Btmedic, doesn't sound like how an amphipod moves.
Dctrojan, looks like cotton candy algae. Usually not a good thing since most of the time it takes over. Very pretty if it could be controlled.

 

[Ptyochromis]

Is this an Isopod or amphipod?

Count the body segments, Amphipods have 13 segments. It should also have 2 eyes that are not on stalks.

Isopods are dorsally compressed, they also have a 'shield that covers the top of their body. Eyes are not on stalks.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Is this an Isopod or amphipod?

Looks like an isopod to me. Next time you see it, put it into a clear or white container with some tank water and take some pics.

 

[Tom39]

is this an Asterina star and pyramid snail? Should I be trying to remove them?
Thanks for Looking,
TOM G

 

[Jackg962]

How about these little starfish looking things? the others are amphipods I think. it must be a little spot that collects some food.

 

[worm5406]

@Jackg962 -- Those are little brittle stars. Beneficial leave them to do their work.

 

[Ptyochromis]

is this an Asterina star and pyramid snail? Should I be trying to remove them?
Thanks for Looking,
TOM G

Pyramid snails wont survive without a Tridacna host. I'm not sure about the star but I thibk they only eat zoanths.

6-line wrasses will eat both of them; they are very reef safe but it's hard for me to recommend one. 4-lined, 8-lined, and canary wrasses will also eat them.

 

[Griznock]

thx for the pics..i have been trying to figure out a small critter that crawls on my glass for weeks..3rd pic up..flatworm for sure

 

[Fishypapa]

@Jackg962 -- Those are little brittle stars. Beneficial leave them to do their work.

+1

I've "rescued" 2 of these little guys while doing Bayer dips on some coral. Luckily I saw them when they climbed out and got them out of the insecticide quick enough. Good to have them.

 

[scags101]

can anyone ID this

is it harmful or what is it?

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Looks like some type of cowrie. Harmless grazer. If you touch the top of it the mantle should retract, revealing the shell.

 

[Ptyochromis]

Looks like some type of cowrie. Harmless grazer. If you touch the top of it the mantle should retract, revealing the shell.

Only a handful of cowries are reef safe, the vast majority will eat sessile inverts.

 

[lutz123]

I've skimmed this thread and searched countless hitchhiker websites and just can't ID this one. Newly cycled Picotope (6 weeks or so). It's dark brown or black, about the size of a grain of rice but round and fat - very similar to a fly pupa. You can see whatever appendages it uses for feeding, no visible legs but I haven't pulled it out. Tank is bare bottom. I saw it for the first time slowing moving last night, still in the same general area this morning when I turned the lights on.

Thanks!

I never updated with mystery resolved. This WAS a fly pupa. Apparently, it's not toally unheard of that those flies that hang around at the beach will hover around newly harvested live rock (this was good fiji rock), lay eggs, and develop in the water. Then they can come out of the live rock, not sure if that's from wiggling or a worm pushing it out from the rock. This one was eaten the following day. There is definitely always something new to learn!

 

[JiveWalker]

Was told its a sea spider?

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Was told its a sea spider?

That would be a yes. You'll want to remove it.

 

[JiveWalker]

That would be a yes. You'll want to remove it.

Yeah, seems like they get alot of negative press. I have no coral and evidently thats what it eats along with hydroids. Might have to go back to the ocean unless i can get it to eat something else.