Sand Dweller Id

[3mm3]

Trying to get some visibility on this creature and figure out just what it is.
I strongly feel it came in on an Australian lps but I could definitely be wrong.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/3mm3-redsea-650-peninsula.314019/

 

[Chuk]

Looks like a pistol shrimp to me

 

[Soflow Rubio's Corals]

2nd the pistol shrimp cool little guy

 

[Soflow Rubio's Corals]

also consider that a free $20 shrimp

 

[BootyPup]

100% a pistol shrimp or something very very similar, it will be perfectly fine, if you don't have one, consider getting a goby to pair with it, my favorite type for it is the yellow watchman goby, there are a few other gobies that'll pair with it though.
The shrimp will buy tunnel networks in the sand and under the rocks, and if you had a goby paired with it the goby would help, keep watch.
The shrimp have been even known to create algae gardens they will feed on.
Make sure if you have any loose frags that are able to be moved, and are near where the shrimp mainly lives, you either glue/epoxy them down, or move them since the shrimp is always looking for objects to build with, rocks, shells, frags etc.
Lastly, from time to time you might hear a loud popping sound, that is just the shrimp being territorial.
Like @ZoasCorals said, you got a great free $20 shrimp.

 

[DSC reef]

Looks like a baby mantis shrimp to me.

 

[3mm3]

Just want to thank everyone so far for all the input. To me it does resemble a shrimp somewhat but on the other hand looks quite different. Also if it is some type of shrimp creature its just a baby as they are small. I have a few. I will try to capture a video. They do a LOT of home maintenance and repairs. Quite an interesting creature

 

[Lovemyreef2015]

I'm going to agree with baby Mantis shrimp after looking at the pictures closer.

 

[Chuk]

It could definitely be a mantis. I cant see both pincers to confirm but it is certainly possible

 

[Kamden Uelton]

it's a baby pistol shrimp, as far from I know mantis have stalked eyes.

 

[DSC reef]

@KJ, any idea? The front "claws" are throwing me off. They look like they shoot out.

 

[Chuk]

That's what I was thinking but its the way it is holding the pincers kind of like a praying mantis makes me question it.

 

[KJ]

Look like.

 

[nfrench2100]

I’m going with Pistol Shrimp

 

[ThunderGoose]

I hope you grow it up and let us know if it's a pistol or a mantis shrimp. The eyes don't look mantis-y but the claws appear folded like a mantis. Very cool either way!

 

[sfin52]

I was thinking pistol but it looks a lot like a baby mantis. I don’t think the eyes stalk out till they get older and molt several times.

 

[Lovemyreef2015]

It looks very similar to a Leptocheliidae sensu lato. It's part of the Tabaidacea family. They are collected in the Great Barrier Reef. Below is a picture of one.

 

[DSC reef]

Looks to be very similar. I believe we have an ID @3mm3 Not if it's a score but sure is cool! Good catch @Lovemyreef2015

 

[sfin52]

Anybody have info on it? Quick google search yields very little.

 

[Lovemyreef2015]

Anybody have info on it? Quick google search yields very little.

The only thing I could find was a general idea of what they can eat. There are over a 1000 different types of Tabaidacea. What I found was that most will eat detritus and scavenge. Then there are a few that are predatory. It's very hard to find any information on these guys.