Where to look for pictures of the bugs

[dad300]

I'm a newbie. Where can I find pictures to look at to see what bugs I have in my tank. I don't know any of the names and I don't necessarily want to bug all of you with... I have a red bug that looks like a mealy worm digging through my sand bed( this is the bug that got me thinking about where to look) every other day, as I learn about this ecosystem that I have placed in my den.
any help appreciated.

[Tobyt]

What you have sounds like a bristleworm.

There are many comprehensive websites but they usually specialize in the specific critter.

This is a good starting point for identifying various critters in your tank.

http://www.reefs.org/hhfaq/

[gumhead]

http://www.reefs.org/hhfaq/pages/main_pages/faq_sand.htm

[dad300]

Thanks for the links guys. I've determined tis not a bristleworm but it might be a isopod. I'm hoping its not the lice one. So.. do I try and get it out or leave it and see what happens.
it is 1/8th of an inch long, oval shaped, segmented and very much red. the underside of the animal is now brown where as when I first saw it tiwas clear.(its up against the glass) It is burrowing in the sand

[lllosingit]

Sorry to jump into your BRS forum but I have some links dad300 can use
Copepods www.nmnh.si.edu/iz/copepod/
Amphipods www.odu.edu/sci/biology/jrh/whatis.htm
Amphipods www.museum.vic.gov.au/crust/amphbiol.html
Isopods http://www.museum.vic.gov.au/crust/isopogal.html
Isopods http://www-personal.usyd.edu.au/~buz/home.html
Crabs http://www.museum.vic.gov.au/crust/comlist.html
Sea Slugs http://www.seaslugforum.net/
The plankton net http://www.geocities.com/planktonguy/
Marine Flatworms of the world http://www.rzuser.uni-heidelberg.de/~bu6/index.html
Odd Critters http://www.rshimek.com/odd_critters.htm
Hexacorallians of the world http://hercules.kgs.ku.edu/hexacoral/anemone2/index.cfm
Fish index http://fins.actwin.com/species/index.php

[dad300]

Thanks for the links. I haven't seen anything like it. the main difference being that I cannot see any tentacles or antenae. I also cannot see any segmentation. so I'm confused.

So waht do you think... Remove it or let it stay.

[tstone]

Dad sounds like a chitton. If thats what it is its a good thing
Here is a pic of one on a power head. Is that it? They can be different colored.
I had one that was white and only came out at night. I had another that was brown and purple.

The one pictured is in Taijutsu's tank
http://users.rcn.com/kimberlyd/chiton.jpg

[dad300]

You hit it on the nose. when I saw the picture it was like... WOW! There it is. Thanks for the picture.

[tstone]

They are cool critters.
That is the best pic I have ever seen of one.

If you ever get a shot at Taijutsu's Torch frags jump on it. He is a great guy and the torch is a beautiful piece