Sea Squirt hitchhiker ID - Pics included

[reef_researcher]

I got new sea squirts a week or so ago and moved them yesterday and noticed this small shrimp/lobster like creature coming out of my sea squirt. Most of the time he sits perched in what looks like a collapsed sea squirt and doesn't do much, I havn't noticed him doing anything harmful so far. Does anyone know what he is and if it's good/bad?

thanks

 

[KUDA]

It's some sort of commensal squat lobster maybe. I don't think it would do any harm.

 

[reef_researcher]

I just asked my LFS and was told it is a pistol shrimp ( based on my discription)

 

[Reefynewby]

doesn't look like a pistol to me, they usually are skinnier and longer, burrow in the sand, and have a much elongated claw compared to a smaller shorter one.

 

[shrinky]

I think first thoughts based on a description would be a pistol, but most of us who've had them, especially hitchhikers, know that they would probably never sit out in the open (exposed) like that. Regardless, it looks pretty dang cool.

 

[boomsticks]

Definatly somesort of squat lobster.

 

[greenbean36191]

It appears to be Pontonia. They're commensal shrimp sometimes found in larger tunicates.