Well I just discovered this pod dashing out from my zoanthids while I was treating it with coral rx and fresh water dips. Here is a quick summary of what I have learned:
1) it moves extremely fast
2) it is extremely hardy... 15mins of coral rx and 20mins of freshwater and still alive
3) it reacts to light by running around
4) it scurries around when its not flying everywhere
Trying to do some pod ID on my own I have come to the conclusion that it is some sort of isopod.
(My bet is that its a sphaeromatid (female) http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/rs/index.php)
The eyes on it are very tiny and they dont seem to be the pest kind of isopod... (the bug eyes)
The only thing I'm not sure about is the tail part which looks like the pest isopod. Are all pest isopods characterized by their big black eyes?
I am not sure if I should put this into my quarantine tank because last thing I'd want is it to create an infestation that I can't control. (I really want to avoid throwing it away since it is very hardy... that also makes it extremely scary if it was a pest...) I have read elsewhere that these sphaeromatids hide near zoas (which was how I found mine) and that they are also nicknamed sand skaters because of their ability to glide around (which mine does as well).
If anyone could ID this that would be appreciated! For now it is in a little measuring cup - hopefully it won't die when I get a positive ID
.
Thanks!
1) it moves extremely fast
2) it is extremely hardy... 15mins of coral rx and 20mins of freshwater and still alive
3) it reacts to light by running around
4) it scurries around when its not flying everywhere
Trying to do some pod ID on my own I have come to the conclusion that it is some sort of isopod.
(My bet is that its a sphaeromatid (female) http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/rs/index.php)
The eyes on it are very tiny and they dont seem to be the pest kind of isopod... (the bug eyes)
The only thing I'm not sure about is the tail part which looks like the pest isopod. Are all pest isopods characterized by their big black eyes?
I am not sure if I should put this into my quarantine tank because last thing I'd want is it to create an infestation that I can't control. (I really want to avoid throwing it away since it is very hardy... that also makes it extremely scary if it was a pest...) I have read elsewhere that these sphaeromatids hide near zoas (which was how I found mine) and that they are also nicknamed sand skaters because of their ability to glide around (which mine does as well).
If anyone could ID this that would be appreciated! For now it is in a little measuring cup - hopefully it won't die when I get a positive ID
.Thanks!
