Caught an amphipod molting on camera

[moretor1]

Was testing out the macro cam on my phone when I saw this guy and what I thought was the second half of its body dangling behind it.

Upon 2nd viewing I realized it was a molt!
Too bad I didn't catch the main action... but this is the best view I've gotten of these guys yet

 

[exnisstech]

You will get more response uploading the video to youtube then pasting the link here so people can view it in the thread. Not many folks want to download a 92mb file to watch someone's video. Just saying ;)

 

[moretor1]

You will get more response uploading the video to youtube then pasting the link here so people can view it in the thread. Not many folks want to download a 92mb file to watch someone's video. Just saying ;)

Thanks. Didn't know large MP4's didn't open on people's browsers.
Is that an apple thing?
Thought it was just mov files that needed downloading

Edit:I see now... buffering speed isn't the best lol

 

[moretor1]

youtube video for mobile

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

youtube video for mobile

That's actually an Isopod, but - regardless - super cool moment to catch on camera!

 

[moretor1]

That's actually an Isopod, but - regardless - super cool moment to catch on camera!

How can you differentiate them?
Is it just size?

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

How can you differentiate them?
Is it just size?

No, generally speaking, it's primarily the body shape - amphipods usually look more like shrimp with the tails curled or sagging down; isopods are pretty varied, but they don't generally look super shrimp-like.

In this case specifically, though, you can tell by the way each body/shell segment sits slightly separated at the edges, and by the antennae-like uropods (the sides of the tail) - this would typically be called a "Munnid Isopod" in the hobby, though that doesn't seem to be accurate. It's likely a Janiroidean isopod of some variety though.