Saltwater moth

[JCote]

Ok, so I just posted a question about serpent star legs moving on their own. Now, at the risk of coming off as the forum wacko, I've got another strange observation to share.

I just went back to check the serpent star legs and noticed, on the back wall of my tank and 6" underwater and attached to a snail shell, a new critter. At first I was a little excited because, after over two years, I don't see many things that I haven't already seen.
Then I looked closer. It's the moth that was flying around our house yesterday - still alive. I reached in with my crab stabber/feeding stick and he moved around, grabbed on, and is currently clinging to a rock.

What the heck is going on here?? This TBS tank sure does support life...

 

[figuerres]

Re: Saltwater moth

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13406114#post13406114 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JCote
Ok, so I just posted a question about serpent star legs moving on their own. Now, at the risk of coming off as the forum wacko, I've got another strange observation to share.

I just went back to check the serpent star legs and noticed, on the back wall of my tank and 6" underwater and attached to a snail shell, a new critter. At first I was a little excited because, after over two years, I don't see many things that I haven't already seen.
Then I looked closer. It's the moth that was flying around our house yesterday - still alive. I reached in with my crab stabber/feeding stick and he moved around, grabbed on, and is currently clinging to a rock.

What the heck is going on here?? This TBS tank sure does support life...

Cue in music from "the X files" or "the twilight zone" ...

I know that some insects can go underwater but I would think the saltwater would mess up the moths wings....

 

[siren]

All insects have an exoskeleton, so most can live underwater for quite a while.

 

[AuroraDrvr]

The moth's exoskeleton & wings are covered with billions of microscopic fibers (hairs) that trap a casing of air around the body of the moth. This protects the wings from the saltwater as well as provides the needed oxygen.

I'd take it out though, eventually it will run out of air, and when it does it'll either get caught in the tank and rot out or you can hope it makes it out.