isopod ID confirmation please

[nunofs]

Dr Ron,

I found what I believe to be a parasitic isopod on my live rock when setting up my new tank, but wanted confirmation on the id. It's pretty small, between 1/4 and 1/2 inch when extended, and less than 1/4 when curled up in a ball. Here's a picture, it's right in the middle, head towards the lower left (you can see the eyes), tail towards the upper right (there's a bright red spot on the tail):

http://www.homeontheweb.org/tmp/aquarium/reef/reef-first-live-rock-hitchhiker-20040716.jpg

Thanks in advance,
Nuno

[AReeferIsExpensive]

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/rs/index.htm

[zenya]

Hi nunofs,

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

I believe that what you have is a Sphaeromatid isopod(judging from the picture) scavanger and harmless to the fish :)

[rshimek]

Hi Nuno,

Gene's answer is right on target. ([thanks])

Follow the link given by "Areefer...([thanks])" to learn more about these animals. Among other things, the parasitic isopods can't curl up into "balls." The fact that yours can means that it is harmless.

[Juggernaut]

Dr. Ron,

my scarlet skunk cleaner shrimp has gotten what looks like a blister on one side. i noticed it yesterday. i looked at the page above and it looks just like this picture:

http://reefkeeping.com//issues/2002-05/rs/images/image003.jpg

i did a word search for "remove" on that above mentioned page that i got the pic from and it said i need to catch the "fish" with the isopod parasite and remove it with tweezers. it appears as though it's under his outer shell is my only concern. how would i remove? cut him open? puncture with tweezers? also, when i catch him, do i just lay him on the table or have him in a small 1/2 gallon bucket with tank water and work on him in there?

EDIT:also, it is on him all day and has not moved. lights on or off, it has stayed put. i just thought i'd add that in as i read that some, maybe all, isopods go into hiding when lights come on. i will try to get a picture of him tomorrow after work, but it is very identical to the pic above. also, i have not seen any others on any of my other fish or inverts.

as always, i greatly appreciate your assistance and advice.

[nunofs]

Thank you all for the id, I'm glad it's a harmless one.

Nuno

[rshimek]

Originally posted by Juggernaut

Hi,

it looks just like this picture....i did a word search for "remove" on that above mentioned page that i got the pic from and it said i need to catch the "fish"

You should have read the article more closely. These particular parasites live only on shrimp not fish, so instructions for removal from fish are inappropriate.

There are no instructions for removal of these epicaridean isopods, because it cannot be done without killing the shrimp.

[Juggernaut]

Originally posted by rshimek
Hi,

it looks just like this picture....i did a word search for "remove" on that above mentioned page that i got the pic from and it said i need to catch the "fish"

You should have read the article more closely. These particular parasites live only on shrimp not fish, so instructions for removal from fish are inappropriate.

There are no instructions for removal of these epicaridean isopods, because it cannot be done without killing the shrimp.

yes, i was on my way to bed and i did a quick word search so i could get my thoughts down before forgetting everything. i am planning on reading it during lunch today, sorry.

i'm assuming that this isopod piggy-backed into my system. do i need to setup traps (ground up seafood in a cup with strings attached to lift out or something similar) to see if there are others (any other parasitic isopods) that need to be removed? will this hurt/kill my shrimp? or will he be ok?

this morning i saw "something" that was brown in color and looked similar to a centipede about 1/4" - 1/2" long run for cover when i turned the lights on. i did not get a very good look at it as it was fast and near where it disappeared to.

[rshimek]

Originally posted by Juggernaut

Hi,

i'm assuming that this isopod piggy-backed into my system. do i need to setup traps (ground up seafood in a cup with strings attached to lift out or something similar) to see if there are others (any other parasitic isopods) that need to be removed? will this hurt/kill my shrimp? or will he be ok?

The shrimp will live a long life with the parasite on it. The intermediate stages of this type of isopod are planktonic and don't live in reef tanks. My suspicion is that it has been on your shrimp for some time, but finally got large enough to be noticeable.

this morning i saw "something" that was brown in color and looked similar to a centipede about 1/4" - 1/2" long run for cover when i turned the lights on. i did not get a very good look at it as it was fast and near where it disappeared to.

Probably one of the many kinds of beneficial worms or bugs in the system.

:D

[Juggernaut]

Originally posted by rshimek
Hi,

i'm assuming that this isopod piggy-backed into my system. do i need to setup traps (ground up seafood in a cup with strings attached to lift out or something similar) to see if there are others (any other parasitic isopods) that need to be removed? will this hurt/kill my shrimp? or will he be ok?

The shrimp will live a long life with the parasite on it. The intermediate stages of this type of isopod are planktonic and don't live in reef tanks. My suspicion is that it has been on your shrimp for some time, but finally got large enough to be noticeable.

this morning i saw "something" that was brown in color and looked similar to a centipede about 1/4" - 1/2" long run for cover when i turned the lights on. i did not get a very good look at it as it was fast and near where it disappeared to.

Probably one of the many kinds of beneficial worms or bugs in the system.

:D

thank you very much for the information. i learn quite a bit from your answers to my questions as well as your answers to other people's questions.

if i catch the centipede look-a-like winner, i will try to get some pictures of him. thank you again!