[smidoid]

Earlier on I saw a little white critter speed around the tank like something posessed. It was no more than 3-4mm long and (according to da missus) had legs.

I can't get a picture because it's vanished again, and it was only visible for a total of perhaps 30 seconds. From a distance it looked as if it might be one of those things related to the common woodlouse.

I'm worried that it might be some kind parasite that's hitched in on some LR... no sign of it on the replacement FPC, but I'm concerned in case it is trouble!

[BubbaWPB]

It could be an amphipod.... most of them are good critters to have in the tank.

[smidoid]

Yes! It certainly could. I had a horrible feeling it was one of those critters I've seen pictures of clinging to ailing fish. The descriptions I've found so far (based on your suggestion) describe fast swimming but don't define the speed. I would guess it did 2-3' in under a second - which is damn quick for such a tiny beastie!

[greenbean36191]

Little white critters (possibly with legs) that swim around the tank could be anything. I'm afraid that without a better description or a picture there are just too many possibilities.

[gregb]

Its one of those critters that when it gets bigger it locks onto a fishs face & sucks its guts out.

[Poseidon]

Most likely an amphipod, but there is no way to be sure without a picture. You mean you didn't have time to get the camera set up and focused in that 2-3 seconds?

[smidoid]

Got the camera on the pod, focused and all. Then the damn flash wouldn't charge fast enough! :slap:

[greenbean36191]

Is there any way to fish the little bugger out and take a picture of it in a shallow dish? If you can catch it, that should make it a lot easier to snag a picture of it.

[optical]

smidoid, you gotta get some corals man! you spend way too much time on hitchikers. lol!

[smidoid]

Originally Posted by greenbean36191

Is there any way to fish the little bugger out and take a picture of it in a shallow dish? If you can catch it, that should make it a lot easier to snag a picture of it.

Well, I got to see it first (let alone catch it)!

I only got a few seconds to nip over to the tank and it dived into the rock. Haven't seen hide nor scales of it since.

[smidoid]

Originally Posted by optical

smidoid, you gotta get some corals man! you spend way too much time on hitchikers. lol!

Can't afford any yet mate and I'm letting the water mature a bit more too.

But you have a point - and I ought to get out more!

I've gotten another FPC and managed not to kill it (yet!) and a coral banded shrimp [Stenopus hispidus] just for sh*ts and giggles. It'll probably eat the hermits at some point to - but they've about done their job.

Have to start monitoring nitrate/rite more closely now to make sure the bacterial filters are coming on line.

[CirolanidHunter]

Did you see this critter during the day with your tank lights on? (white light, not just the actinics). If so there is less of a chance of it being a bad Cirolanid Isopod (http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/bp/index.php). You could try setting a trap in the tank (like the one in the link I just provided) and see if you catch anything after lights out.

It might not catch anything, but at least it is something to try rather than waiting to see it again randomly. Without pictures we can only guess what it is and I've seen amphipods (good guys) move pretty darn fast too.

Brian

[smidoid]

Brian hun? Not *the* Brian Plankis per chance?

Damn good article that.

Anyway, yeah. It was sighted during the day for less than a minute's total observation. Mind you, I saw a pistol shrimp for even less time than that - a week or two back and never before or since.

I'm going to buy some cheap pop tomorrow to try out that near trap.

[CirolanidHunter]

Originally Posted by smidoid

Brian hun? Not *the* Brian Plankis per chance?

Damn good article that.

Anyway, yeah. It was sighted during the day for less than a minute's total observation. Mind you, I saw a pistol shrimp for even less time than that - a week or two back and never before or since.

I'm going to buy some cheap pop tomorrow to try out that near trap.

*the* Brian Plankis? hehehe. Sorry, just have to chuckle a little as I am always flattered by compliments. Glad you liked the article, just trying to help out. But yes I am *the* Brian Plankis

If you spotted it during the day it is unlikely it is a Cirolanid. I know there have been a couple of times at night that I was searching my tank for Cirolanids and saw a Amphipod swimming and thought oh no! But it was just an amphipod

Trying the trap once can't hurt though. If you have a small tank (less than 50gallons), keep an eye on your ammonia though, as the "stinky water method" introduces ammonia to the tank.

Brian