Mite...? Not a pod

[JasonVH]

Extremely tiny speckled thing that looks like a mite wearing a speckled clam shell over it. Very clumsy and seems to have two groups of legs at front and rear end with the rear legs bending forwards. So when it's on its side, it looks like a failing crab. Most of pictures are of it on its side, except in one it's right side up.

What is it and good or bad? Discovered while it was climbing up a torch coral. Dipping with coral rx didn't show anything else.

 

[JasonVH]

I have a short video of it but keeps getting 'oops not a video as expected' message?

 

[Shon]

Ostracod?

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2c/Ostracod_swimming_motions_20200520.gif/170px-Ostracod_swimming_motions_20200520.gif

 

[JasonVH]

Ostracod?

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2c/Ostracod_swimming_motions_20200520.gif/170px-Ostracod_swimming_motions_20200520.gif

Yeah seems to be some kind of ostracod, thanks! Are they desirable as cuc or a pest?

 

[Shon]

"Most free-living ostracods are considered to feed on algae and organic detritus, but some ostracods are omnivores, predators and scavengers."