Christmas Tree Work Rock colonized by inverts

[Zhubbell]

So I have these crazy inverts on one of our Christmas Tree Worm Rocks. There are probably 6-7 on the whole colony - at first I thought maybe they were hermits from my tanks who had outgrown their shells moving into hole Christmas tree worms had left?
But the more I check them out they’re definitely different than any of my hermits and all of them on that rock have the same unique patterns on their claws, and look the same, so I think I’ve got inverts colonizing my Xmas tree work rock…

anyone know what these are?

 

[Zhubbell]

Sorry, files didn’t upload well.

 

[bradleym]

OK, well this is the coolest thing I've seen all day! Following.

 

[Zhubbell]

Hopefully this link works better!!

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Really neat find!

I can see something moving in the video, but not well enough to ID it. That said, I know of a number of genuses of crabs that live in worm tubes like the above, and that might be a good place to start your search.

Genera I know for sure have species which live in leathery worm tubes like those produced by feather dusters: Pinnixa, Polyonyx, and Pinnotheres. There are probably more, but these are the ones I know. A lot of crabs that live in worm tubes are "soft-bodied", so for their own safety you probably won't see them leaving the tubes unless they have to.

 

[Red Sea 500]

That’s pretty cool

 

[VanDalsenReef]

It's a hermit crab species. Look up tidal gardens video on YouTube about Christmas tree worms

 

[MaxTremors]

Looks like some sort of squat lobster (which are basically a type of hermit crab).

 

[VanDalsenReef]

Look up paguritta species

 

[bradleym]

Some pictures for those who can't watch the original videos.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Yeah, Paguritta spp. hermits also live in worm tubes.

 

[MaxTremors]

Look up paguritta species

I think you are correct:
https://www.reeflex.net/tiere/8875_Paguritta_harmsi.htm

 

[VanDalsenReef]

They're filter feeders. So I'm guessing same difficulty as coco worms, Christmas tree worm etc..

 

[Red Sea 500]

Where does one get a cool Christmas tree rock?

 

[Zhubbell]

It’s been on my website akwacoral.com for a few weeks now! I sometimes do big 2-3” “frag chunks” of these rocks for more like 75-125 depending on size!

 

[blaxsun]

I have one of these little guys in my Christmas rock as well with blue claws (much smaller than yours). I'd always just assumed it was a shrimp - but now I know!

 

[Mark Goode]

Where does one get a cool Christmas tree rock?

My LFS sold me a nice Christmas tree rock some years ago, in a previous attempt at reefing. Unfortunately the following week he sold me an arrow crab. Didn't end well for the worms.

 

[Bitcoin Reefer]

What is a Christmas Tree Rock?

 

[LisaAP]

Nice! :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes:

These little Paguritta crabs are commonly found in Christmas tree worm rock. I have 4 living in mine. They are so very cool and endlessly entertaining to watch.

 

[Bitcoin Reefer]

Nice! :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes:

These little Paguritta crabs are commonly found in Christmas tree worm rock. I have 4 living in mine. They are so very cool and endlessly entertaining to watch.

Cool thanks. So it’s just referring to rock with Christmas tree worms :)