Amphipod? IDs welcome

[Evas_reef]

Hi,

I’ve just had another read through the helpful threads on critters and hitchhikers. I think the closest I got to a potential ID is Amphipod. Is this right?

I’m hoping he’s a friendly resident as he’s scarpered off since researching!

I’ve attached a video too. They seem to work for some but not others.

Tank info below pics.

Many thanks

Em

Tank info:
8 months old
Red Sea G2 250
AI Prime 16HD x2
Maxspect Jump Gyre and Sicce Nano for movement around the back and weir
Octo 110-S Skimmer
Jecod return pump
Titanium heater
Red Sea Doser
Dosing Reef Zlements PH Plus (2 part) finally have our stable levels and ratios right
️ @Hannainstrumentsuk phosphate ULR and Nitrate testers and Salifert tests
chaeto set up with TUNZE echo chic refugium 8831 9w submersible lighting

Residents:
mix of softies, lps and sps
watchman goby and his pistol, clowns, algae blenny, blue cheek goby, yellow coris wrasse, cleaner and peppermint shrimps, various snails, conches, hermits, emerald crabs, pin cushion urchin and feather duster worm, brittle starfish, Red Sea star.

 

[bluemon]

Well one thing is for sure, that is unlike any other small crustaceans I've seen in 10+ years reefing.

Definitely not any of the common amphipod, copepod or isopod.

What's curious is that it seems to have an one piece outer armor with thorns?

Will be following to see what other think, but I am stumped.

Looks like a giant ostracod or something.

Edit: I am leaning towards maybe a bigger sphaeromatidae isopod, but those three big horns at the end are really throwing me off. Almost looks like a small staghorn hermit shell

 

[Evas_reef]

Well one thing is for sure, that is unlike any other small crustaceans I've seen in 10+ years reefing.

Definitely not any of the common amphipod, copepod or isopod.

What's curious is that it seems to have an one piece outer armor with thorns?

Will be following to see what other think, but I am stumped.

Looks like a giant ostracod or something.

Edit: I am leaning towards maybe a bigger sphaeromatidae isopod, but those three big horns at the end are really throwing me off. Almost looks like a small staghorn hermit shell

Thank you for getting back to me. I’m looking forward to finding out what it is.. hope it’s not a bad guy! I was surprised by how fast it’s tiny little legs moved. It sort of jumped from one rock to another too. Not too far or ‘flea-like’ just not a clumsy amble.

 

[Evas_reef]

Well one thing is for sure, that is unlike any other small crustaceans I've seen in 10+ years reefing.

Definitely not any of the common amphipod, copepod or isopod.

What's curious is that it seems to have an one piece outer armor with thorns?

Will be following to see what other think, but I am stumped.

Looks like a giant ostracod or something.

Edit: I am leaning towards maybe a bigger sphaeromatidae isopod, but those three big horns at the end are really throwing me off. Almost looks like a small staghorn hermit shell

https://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rs/index.php

Wondering it isn’t one of these. The body shape / anatomy seems to be similar…

 

[bluemon]

Yea, I'm sure it is a species of amphipod or isopod, and is most likely fine.

There are some parasitic isopod, but this doesn't seem like one of them, so you should be fine.

I'm just curious if someone can identify these because those three thorns in the carapace is something I haven't seen

 

[Avalon]

WOW! I've never seen a specimen that looks like this in a tank before. I am leaning more towards an isopod than amphipod, possibly Paracerceis sculpta or something in that family? Definitely a cool find and most likely harmless.

 

[Evas_reef]

WOW! I've never seen a specimen that looks like this in a tank before. I am leaning more towards an isopod than amphipod, possibly Paracerceis sculpta or something in that family? Definitely a cool find and most likely harmless.

Thank you so much for your thoughts too. It was a fascinating find. I find little things like this when I spend a few minutes with the tank in the morning before the lights come on. Love this hobby. Thanks again.

 

[Evas_reef]

WOW! I've never seen a specimen that looks like this in a tank before. I am leaning more towards an isopod than amphipod, possibly Paracerceis sculpta or something in that family? Definitely a cool find and most likely harmless.

It looks like it might be an alpha male. How fascinating. https://museum.wa.gov.au/creature-feature-paracerceis-sculpta-holmes-1904

 

[bluemon]

It looks like it might be an alpha male. How fascinating. https://museum.wa.gov.au/creature-feature-paracerceis-sculpta-holmes-1904

Still not convinced it's the exact same species because of the body shape,

But we are getting close because it seems those thorns are definitely a thing on isopods.

Id be tempted to try and capture it and send it off to a research institute just for my own curiosity

 

[Evas_reef]

Still not convinced it's the exact same species because of the body shape,

But we are getting close because it seems those thorns are definitely a thing on isopods.

Id be tempted to try and capture it and send it off to a research institute just for my own curiosity

It was pure luck I saw it, I’ve not seen it since. I saw something a lot smaller scurrying across the rocks this morning. Its mind blowing what must be living in there!