Is this a Cirolanid isopod?

original-reefland · 02/17/2006, 01:17 PM

I recently placed an order with a RC Sponsor who had excellent feedback in the vendor forum. I ordered a few SPS corals which showed up packaged great, good color, etc.

I check the corals for red bugs and flat worms as best I could. Seemed clean. The corals were added to the display.

Upon cleaning up the bags, I found a little critter in the bottom of it. It seems to be an isopod, I can't tell if it is one that feeds on fish. Looks to be a female based on the tail and what looks like eggs on the underside.

The isopod is alive but dazed and confused. I've had it alive for several days and just stays on its back moving its legs. I have yet to see it swim or try to feed on anything I added to the cup.

Pictures:

I was surprised how hard this animal was, it is not soft and squishy at all.

Anemone · 02/17/2006, 02:22 PM

Rich,

It's hard to tell from your pics - one of the defining characteristics is the eyes, which are hard to see on your isopod.

Perhaps this would help you idenify it: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/rs/index.php

Kevin

romunov · 02/17/2006, 02:35 PM

Nope.

Travis L. Stevens · 02/17/2006, 02:54 PM

Maybe someone can clarify, but wasn't it in this article, http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/bp/index.php , where Cirolanid Hunter explained that there are more than one species of Cirolanid. And there is a species that is a beneficial detrivore. The way to tell them apart is the parasite can't roll up in a ball while the detrivore can. Sorry, I don't have the time to re-read the article.

Paintbug · 02/17/2006, 02:56 PM

what you have is a male Sphaeromatid. harmless.

Travis L. Stevens · 02/17/2006, 03:01 PM

Thanks Paintbug

02/17/2006, 01:17 PM	#1
original-reefland Reefer Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: New York Posts: 2,177	Is this a Cirolanid isopod? I recently placed an order with a RC Sponsor who had excellent feedback in the vendor forum. I ordered a few SPS corals which showed up packaged great, good color, etc. I check the corals for red bugs and flat worms as best I could. Seemed clean. The corals were added to the display. Upon cleaning up the bags, I found a little critter in the bottom of it. It seems to be an isopod, I can't tell if it is one that feeds on fish. Looks to be a female based on the tail and what looks like eggs on the underside. The isopod is alive but dazed and confused. I've had it alive for several days and just stays on its back moving its legs. I have yet to see it swim or try to feed on anything I added to the cup. Pictures: I was surprised how hard this animal was, it is not soft and squishy at all. __________________ Rich Durso Visit My Chunk of the Ocean, click the Red House above. Current Tank Info: 180G Oceanic SPS/Clams/LPS, AB Aquaspace Light 3x250w AB 14K HQI with 4x24w PC Actinic, 2x80w T5, Dual Tunze 6100 and Vortec (10,000 GPH), Euro Reef RC-500 Skimmer.

02/17/2006, 02:22 PM	#2
Anemone Cloning Around Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Valencia, California Posts: 25,267	Rich, It's hard to tell from your pics - one of the defining characteristics is the eyes, which are hard to see on your isopod. Perhaps this would help you idenify it: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/rs/index.php Kevin __________________ Back in the pool, swimming with the sharks... Current Tank Info: Red Sea 425XL w/Kessil AP700, Vertex 180i Skimmer, 2 x Vortech MP40s

02/17/2006, 02:35 PM	#3
romunov Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 4,453	Nope. __________________ Life is too short to learn everything from experience. "And ye shall know the Truth and the Truth shall set you free."

02/17/2006, 02:54 PM	#4
Travis L. Stevens Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Perry, OK Posts: 13,946	Maybe someone can clarify, but wasn't it in this article, http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/bp/index.php , where Cirolanid Hunter explained that there are more than one species of Cirolanid. And there is a species that is a beneficial detrivore. The way to tell them apart is the parasite can't roll up in a ball while the detrivore can. Sorry, I don't have the time to re-read the article. __________________ Travis Stevens Current Tank Info: Restarting 28g Bowfront

02/17/2006, 02:56 PM	#5
Paintbug Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Stoneville, NC Posts: 6,169	what you have is a male Sphaeromatid. harmless. __________________ Never ask a girl over to see your crabs!! <-Tony-> Current Tank Info: NONE currently

02/17/2006, 03:01 PM	#6
Travis L. Stevens Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Perry, OK Posts: 13,946	Thanks Paintbug __________________ Travis Stevens Current Tank Info: Restarting 28g Bowfront