ID Needed - Friend or Foe?

[Jake]

I bought some frags and found these spider looking things (3) came off of a zoo frag during the coral dip process. Any idea what they are? They looked like very thin spider creatures about the size of a pencil head. They died in the coral dip but I am still curious. (sorry for the bad picture.. it was the best picture I could get).
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj166/nordicsons/spiderlooking.jpg

 

[Jeremy0322]

no idea if they are good or bad, but you should just copy the IMG code into the thread from photobucket and the picture will show up instead of a link.

 

[Luukosian]

There actually is a thing called zoa spiders. Looks to me like thats what they are but , cant really tell from the pic. Google zoa spiders and you will get some info.

Heres a decent link

And Along Came a Spider… by Ronald L. Shimek, Ph.D. - Reefkeeping.com

 

[Jake]

Thanks for the feedback. Whatever is was it was real small. I am going to fresh dip tonight and again in a week to be sure I got it....

 

[Dentoid]

They look like micro brittle stars. If they are Sea Spiders, they will have 8 appendages. If brittle stars, they will have 6 appendages.

 

[Jake]

Thanks Scott. I was also starting to lean towards Brittle Stars. I think they had 6 legs which also supports this.

Either way I fresh dipped last night and zero.... so it looks like just the initial 3....I will likely do one more dip next weekend to be sure........ I was supprised to find anything of concern since this specimin came from a quality established individuals tank.

 

[lcstorc]

If they are in fact micro-brittles (which I believe they are) there is no cause for concern. They are great detrius eaters and a cool part of your CUC.