Isopod ID (pics and clip)

LgTas

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 10, 2020
Messages
511
Reaction score
525
Location
Tasmania
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Does not roll into a ball
Has forward facing predatory eyes
20230902_090828.jpg
Was swimming in my DT with multiple fish that usually would snack on something like this.

Video of Isopod
 
Last edited:

Nick711

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 31, 2023
Messages
222
Reaction score
160
Location
NJ
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Looks like a Cirolanid.
You saw it swimming during the day? They’re nocturnal as far as I know & latch on fish (detrimental). Did you recently add LR?
 
OP
OP
LgTas

LgTas

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 10, 2020
Messages
511
Reaction score
525
Location
Tasmania
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Looks like a Cirolanid.
You saw it swimming during the day? They’re nocturnal as far as I know & latch on fish (detrimental). Did you recently add LR?

It was swimming in the morning with the lights off. Established tank but I use NSW. Last batch was collected well off shore so potentially came in through that?
 

JoJosReef

7500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Sep 27, 2021
Messages
7,716
Reaction score
21,992
Location
Orange County, CA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Does not roll into a ball
Has forward facing predatory eyes
20230902_090828.jpg
Was swimming in my DT with multiple fish that usually would snack on something like this.

Video of Isopod
That looks like a cirolanid. Eyes of a cirolanid look so much more sinister than a spheromatid.

Good guy:
1693611636426.png

1693611650677.png



BAD guy:
1693611681060.png

1693611703170.png


1693611721785.png
 

Nick711

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 31, 2023
Messages
222
Reaction score
160
Location
NJ
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
It was swimming in the morning with the lights off. Established tank but I use NSW. Last batch was collected well off shore so potentially came in through that?

Yes, unfortunately it is a Cirolanid. It’s highly likely you have more than 1 in your tank (I had 50+ from only 8# of gulf live rock). I would suggest observing your tank tonight during lights off to see if you find more. They jitter through the water in a somewhat jerking motion so they should be rather easy to spot despite their size (size also varies quite significantly). I won’t sugar coat it, these guys are a pain to eradicate, but maybe first see how many more you come across and if any are latching to your fish.
 

JoJosReef

7500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Sep 27, 2021
Messages
7,716
Reaction score
21,992
Location
Orange County, CA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
The potentially optimistic view is that you say it may have arrived from your collection of natural sea water. They usually come in mass from live rock, so you might have just picked up a straggler in the water. Still, I would get it/them out asap just in case it's ready to lay a million eggs in your rocks!
 

Freshwater filter only or is it? Have you ever used an HOB filter on a saltwater tank?

  • I currently use a HOB filter on my reef tank.

    Votes: 50 25.6%
  • I don’t currently use a HOB filter on my reef tank, but I have in the past.

    Votes: 49 25.1%
  • I have used a HOB on fish only or quarantine tanks, but not on the display tank.

    Votes: 44 22.6%
  • I have never used a HOB on a saltwater tank.

    Votes: 48 24.6%
  • Other.

    Votes: 4 2.1%
Back
Top