Found this in critter in my filter sock

[mervin]

Hello Reefers!

Can anyone identify this critter?

 

[KrisReef]

I think it might be a fresh water bug, but have no way to verify my suspicion.

Those hooked mandibles? make this look like a ferocious predator or parasite? BUMP for a cool bug!

 

[mervin]

Hi again! I found another one of these bugs in my filter sovk in my reef tank. Had anyone ever seen this before?

 

[twentyleagues]

@ISpeakForTheSeas
Its a type of pod I believe but can not remember the name. They kind of look like little mantis shrimp, dont think they are harmful.

 

[mervin]

Thanks! Heres more pics

 

[twentyleagues]

I think its this amphipod species

Caprellidae​

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

@ISpeakForTheSeas
Its a type of pod I believe but can not remember the name. They kind of look like little mantis shrimp, dont think they are harmful.

I think its this amphipod species

Caprellidae​

You're close - amphipods from the taxonomic infraorder Corophiida (which includes Caprellid amphipods) are often vermiform pods like this critter, and they can look remarkably alike, but this is actually an Anthuroidean Isopod (I still need to learn more about the families in the superfamily, but I would guess it's an Anthurid species of some kind).

Anyway, yeah, they're pretty harmless and neat:

not a lot of research has been done on Anthuroidean isopod diets, but the few studies that have been done found they preyed on amphipods.

So, unless you have some really tiny crustaceans that you care about in your tank, they should be harmless too.

 

[mervin]

Thanks for the amazing info and setting my mind at ease! My anxiety was through the roof! Unfortunately though those critters will probably decimate my amphipod population?

Thanks again for the awesome feedback!

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Thanks for the amazing info and setting my mind at ease! My anxiety was through the roof! Unfortunately though those critters will probably decimate my amphipod population?

Thanks again for the awesome feedback!

Happy to help - I wouldn't expect them to eliminate the amphipods altogether, but they'll probably help keep the population in check.

 

[mervin]

You're close - amphipods from the taxonomic infraorder Corophiida (which includes Caprellid amphipods) are often vermiform pods like this critter, and they can look remarkably alike, but this is actually an Anthuroidean Isopod (I still need to learn more about the families in the superfamily, but I would guess it's an Anthurid species of some kind).

Anyway, yeah, they're pretty harmless and neat:

Happy to help - I wouldn't expect them to eliminate the amphipods altogether, but they'll probably help keep the population in check.

I was wondering why I didn’t see as many amphipods. I still see some but my socks would always be loaded. Thanks again!