Pod the Builder

[yankeereefer]

Do pods excavate in your sandbed?

I noticed a small "hole" developing in the sand (at the front of the glass) over the last few days - Didn't think much of it, I figured wroms of some kind.

This morning I'm walking by the tank and I noticed movement down there. Lights are off at this time so I get a flashlight. What do I see? A small pod coming in and out with arms loaded (3-4 grains) with sand. It drops off the sand, flips over and goes back for more!

I wish I could video it. I've always seen pods in my chaeto, LR and scurrying over the sandbed, but never digging.

 

[Mojo Jojo]

Yup sure do. They do as they want really. Mine put up tiny mountains in the fuge.

 

[ppurcell]

I noticed the same thing a while back, nobody shared my interest in their behavior at the time.

Thinking on it, they are closely related to shrimp. Many of which burrow, so I guess it isn't that novel. But I still stand around watching mine while they excavate holes here and there.

 

[Mojo Jojo]

Phil, haha same here at night I lay down and watch the little fellows. Have you noticed they dont just pick any particle of sand. They pick some up and look at it for a while as if they are choosing the good ones from the bad ones.

 

[yankeereefer]

Their behavior reminds me alot of my mantis shrimps -

That's what I love about this hobby and watching my tanks - They have been running for some time now and I still come across stuff that amazes me.

 

[Pufferpunk]

My mantis is amazing/fascinating to watch! He does the same thing but with rubble. Picks it up & turns it over & over, till it's in the position he wants it, to shore up his home. Comes out of his cave with "arms" full of sand & goes all the way to the other end of the tank to dump it, so it won't fall back into his hole. How smart is that?!