ID this odd critter please!

[LuckyInk]

I found this guy on my Zoo rock. Any idea what it is? He is a little smaller than a dime and seems to have joints at its legs. It would also appear that it has a hard shell. This little bugger walks almost like a spider, so I don't think it is a star fish. Any ideas? He is going into the sump for now...

 

[NaH2O]

It's a Sea Spider:

Sea Spider
Another Sea Spider link

 

[wooddood]

thanks nikki i have never seen one before.

 

[ScottT1980]

Wow, a new one to me...Thanks!!

Take er easy
Scott T.

 

[BoomerD]

Cool! I've seen pictures of them before, like in the links provided by NaH2O, but never known anyone to have any in the aquarium.

 

[ScottT1980]

I wonder if they would be a natural flatworm predator...

Hmm...

Take er easy
Scott T.

 

[HAP]

Something new to learn every day....

Thanks for posting!

 

[LuckyInk]

You rock, Nikki!
Thanks for the info! I put this guy in my fuge/sump so he can't do too much harm.

Originally posted by ScottT1980
I wonder if they would be a natural flatworm predator...

Hmm...

Take er easy
Scott T.

I used to have flatworms pretty bad. They have since been eliminated.
Now keep in mind, I just combined two tanks into one, removed all substrate and added a six-line wrasse. I don't know which of the factors did it, but I agree, the seaspider *could* do that per their description.

 

[jks1]

Thanks, Nikki- i had never seen one of those either. Learning all the time...

 

[NaH2O]

Luckyink...this would be a good one for the Hitchhiker thread.....
Here are a few more pics....

Pycnogonid

Another Pycnogonid

 

[mwrager]

Wow, a new one to me...Thanks!!

 

[NaH2O]

Alright...I know - another link (would you expect anything less from me?)....but if anyone is interested in the biology of these....read this link:

Anoplodactylus in Laboratory

 

[Witfull]

ok nikki you beat me to the punch,, but i was at work,,,

 

[LuckyInk]

Just an update folks. I found another one in my tank. This one was much smaller and had a death grip on one of my zoos. He was banished to the sump as well.

 

[mick77]

Never seen one either. Great info Nikki!

 

[Boomer]

At'ah girl Nikki

 

[Gina]

Eww! I don't like spiders! That thing gives me the creeps! Good call Nikki!

 

[EdgeKrusher]

That's sweet! Well not that it had a death grip on your zoa. Have you lost any Zoanthids latley?

 

[LuckyInk]

Edge,
Just a few, but my colonies are still in tact...

 

[Mebigloser]

Wow, nice info Nikki...I am also with Gina...I hate spiders....splaaatttttt