Amphipod eating spider...

Original Fin · 12/07/2010, 02:44 AM

This is kind of cool...

A juvenile Black Widow has cast it's web across the top of the chaeto ball in my sump. Amphipods routinely walk across the top of the chaeto...So much for this fuge being predator free!

[IMG]http://i53.*******.com/r2ixjb.jpg[/IMG]

Virtuoso · 12/07/2010, 06:49 AM

As someone who is afraid of spiders that is downright terrifying.

Lemeshianos · 12/07/2010, 08:05 AM

black widow???

olemiss reb · 12/07/2010, 09:26 AM

i agree that it is pretty interesting but you are not concerned that there are venomous spiders living in your house?

NewJerseyreef · 12/07/2010, 09:28 AM

ok i think i just peed my pants just from the picture

redfishblewfish · 12/07/2010, 09:51 AM

Pretty neat, although I have to agree with questioning whether it is a widow. It looks more like a brown recluse than a widow.

Is there a silhouette of a violin in the abdomen?

Original Fin · 12/07/2010, 12:06 PM

Took that pic with my Iphone...the good camera's battery was dead. If it cooperates, I'll try to get a macro shot and see if I can get a positive ID.

The mature females are unmistakable, and they are the ones to watch out for. Most bites come from the females. None of them are agressive towards humans per se, but a pregnant/brooding female can be protective/territiorial.

Males are much smaller, and the juveniles have completey different coloration. The shot I posted is of the underside. It's one of the most common spiders around these parts, 2nd to Daddy Long Legs.

I was a little freaked out about them when I moved to this part of CA in 06, but the locals really pay them no attention. From what I'm told, a Recluse is much more venomous/aggressive, so I hope it's not that.
I am just thankful that we don't have venomous snakes in this part of the valley. It's a different story in the foothills though.

Original Fin · 12/07/2010, 12:36 PM

Well, this pic is closer, but I'd like to see it from the other side.
In the first pic, I can make out the telltale hourglass shape. On a mature female, it would be red, but juveniles have yellow markings/coloration that morphs to red as they mature.

[IMG]http://i56.*******.com/ebact3.jpg[/IMG]

firebirdcrzy · 12/07/2010, 12:50 PM

I can see it now, everyone is going to forget about purple n red hornets. They will all running around looking for black widow's

streak · 12/07/2010, 02:54 PM

Well i live in a 60+ year old house.. i deffintaly seen Recluse's before they can get big as a half dollar....

jeff@zina.com · 12/07/2010, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by streak

Well i live in a 60+ year old house.. i deffintaly seen Recluse's before they can get big as a half dollar....

Recluses only get to about the size of a quarter. Even in this economy.

And it's darned hard to identify a brown recluse, you have to catch it to see the violin marking. As for widows, just pull on the web. If it's incredibly strong and you feel resistance when pulling, it's may be a widow. The webs are stronger than steel.

I live in Florida. The only poisonous native of the US missing here is the Gila monster.

Jeff

mc-cro · 12/07/2010, 03:37 PM

f that, I would end up breaking the tank trying to kill that freaky thing. I hate spiders

Original Fin · 12/07/2010, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mc-cro

f that, I would end up breaking the tank trying to kill that freaky thing. I hate spiders

My wife has what I would call an unnatural fear of spiders...like she will turn white, faint etc. If she read this post, I would be in big trouble for not dispatching it immediately. I've already deleted the pic from both cameras and the computer just in case.
I actually like spiders and the role they play in the food chain of other creepy crawlys. Because of my wife though...he's gonna have to go. I've considered relocating them before, but there are three problems with that:

1. The mere suggestion angers my wife to the point of I don't want to further explore the idea.
2. There are two more reasons, but #1 is reason enough for me.

timebandit · 12/07/2010, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff@zina.com

Recluses only get to about the size of a quarter. Even in this economy.

And it's darned hard to identify a brown recluse, you have to catch it to see the violin marking. As for widows, just pull on the web. If it's incredibly strong and you feel resistance when pulling, it's may be a widow. The webs are stronger than steel.

I live in Florida. The only poisonous native of the US missing here is the Gila monster.

Jeff

I live in Florida also; I find widows in the corners of my back porch monthly. It doesn't phase me or the wife any, but we're in the minority because we've kept arachnids, mantids, centipedes and various others as "pets." Honestly I would've been an entomologist if there was any money in it. I'm absolutely fascinated by the little critters.

That being said, I'd usher the spider out of the fuge. No point in taking chances since your hand will be down there semi-frequently!

sbreefer · 12/07/2010, 05:51 PM

Hilarious. I'm on board witht the f that comment...

Angel*Fish · 12/07/2010, 06:46 PM

That's one resourceful spider!

12/07/2010, 09:26 AM	#4
olemiss reb Molon Labe Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,550	i agree that it is pretty interesting but you are not concerned that there are venomous spiders living in your house? __________________ secesh

12/07/2010, 12:50 PM	#9
firebirdcrzy Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Northern Neck, Virginia Posts: 1,096	I can see it now, everyone is going to forget about purple n red hornets. They will all running around looking for black widow's __________________ My Wife says I have a problem. I responded by saying "if I could seal all the doors and windows, I would fill the whole house with water". Title: The equipment hoarder Current Tank Info: 30gal Clarkii tank: 90 gal RR,2x400w plusrite 22k 2x110w vho super actinic, deltec APF600,Tunze Osmo,2xTunze 6105 on 7095,MRC CR2,Kalk reactor,JBJ artica 1/5hp chiller, ACIII, 24"x24"x12" (30gal) frag tank joined to main tank:

12/07/2010, 02:54 PM	#10
streak Reef Madness! Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Perryville, Missouri Posts: 616	Well i live in a 60+ year old house.. i deffintaly seen Recluse's before they can get big as a half dollar.... __________________ The Shoe String Budget Reef Aquarium. Possible?? Compared to 7 55 breeding Discus days well we see and try! :P Current Tank Info: 10g nano with 2 clowns 1 Royal Gorama 1 RBTA!

12/07/2010, 03:37 PM	#12
mc-cro (macro) Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 2,238	f that, I would end up breaking the tank trying to kill that freaky thing. I hate spiders __________________ Time is the most valuable thing you have... spend it wisely Current Tank Info: 60x26x24 AGE 3 sided starphire

12/07/2010, 05:51 PM	#15
sbreefer Afflicted Reefer Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Steamboat Colorado Posts: 490	Hilarious. I'm on board witht the f that comment... __________________ mixed bare bottom reef Current Tank Info: SPS dominated 300g

12/07/2010, 02:44 AM	#1
Original Fin Registered Member. Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Central CA Posts: 237	Amphipod eating spider... This is kind of cool... A juvenile Black Widow has cast it's web across the top of the chaeto ball in my sump. Amphipods routinely walk across the top of the chaeto...So much for this fuge being predator free! [IMG]http://i53.*******.com/r2ixjb.jpg[/IMG]

12/07/2010, 06:49 AM	#2
Virtuoso Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 727	As someone who is afraid of spiders that is downright terrifying.

12/07/2010, 08:05 AM	#3
Lemeshianos Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Limassol, Cyprus Posts: 468	black widow???

12/07/2010, 09:28 AM	#5
NewJerseyreef Moved On Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: South Jersey Posts: 194	ok i think i just peed my pants just from the picture

12/07/2010, 09:51 AM	#6
redfishblewfish Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central New Jersey Posts: 716	Pretty neat, although I have to agree with questioning whether it is a widow. It looks more like a brown recluse than a widow. Is there a silhouette of a violin in the abdomen?

12/07/2010, 12:06 PM	#7
Original Fin Registered Member. Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Central CA Posts: 237	Took that pic with my Iphone...the good camera's battery was dead. If it cooperates, I'll try to get a macro shot and see if I can get a positive ID. The mature females are unmistakable, and they are the ones to watch out for. Most bites come from the females. None of them are agressive towards humans per se, but a pregnant/brooding female can be protective/territiorial. Males are much smaller, and the juveniles have completey different coloration. The shot I posted is of the underside. It's one of the most common spiders around these parts, 2nd to Daddy Long Legs. I was a little freaked out about them when I moved to this part of CA in 06, but the locals really pay them no attention. From what I'm told, a Recluse is much more venomous/aggressive, so I hope it's not that. I am just thankful that we don't have venomous snakes in this part of the valley. It's a different story in the foothills though.

12/07/2010, 12:36 PM	#8
Original Fin Registered Member. Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Central CA Posts: 237	Well, this pic is closer, but I'd like to see it from the other side. In the first pic, I can make out the telltale hourglass shape. On a mature female, it would be red, but juveniles have yellow markings/coloration that morphs to red as they mature. [IMG]http://i56.*******.com/ebact3.jpg[/IMG]

12/07/2010, 06:46 PM	#16
Angel*Fish cats and large squashes Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Houston Posts: 5,951 Blog Entries: 1	That's one resourceful spider! __________________ Marie So long, & thanks for all the fish! __________________________ Current Tank Info: Pairs: flame angels, cherub angels, Red Sea mimic blennies, yellow fin fairy wrasses, clowns, mandarins, blackcap basslets, shrimp gobies, damsels, dispar anthias, yellow clown gobies, threadfin cardinals --- Tanks: 100g reef, 2 x 30g refugiums

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