what's killing my clown?

[carolc]

I found a crustation approx 1/2 in long, that was grey/white in color with a mouth part like a small beak, attached to the side of my clown. It was killed and looked at..had a least 6 legs each side/probably 7...the body shape was similar to that of a lobster..2 compound insect like eyes just above mouth..the creature was removed within 2-3 hours of attachment. The clown appeared toxic and died approx 8 hrs later. I had 2 other clowns dies mysteriously recently in the tank prior to this...any ideas???

[Ninong]

Hi carolc, welcome to Reefland!

I'll take a wild guess and say that it might be a Cirolanid isopod: http://www.reefs.org/library/article/clarke_shimek.html

[saltjunkie]

wow.. nasty lil buggers!