What is this parasite ?!

[Bryan47]

So I was looking at one of my corals and there was a spot with dead tissue. It appeared almost raised and something told me to remove the dead tissue and see if there was anything under it. The piece I took off looked suspicious and to my surprise I looked under the microscope and jewelers loupe and it was some type of parasite! I was able to get a picture of under the microscope. You can see clearly legs and a set of pinchers. If you look toward the bottom of the parasite it almost looks like eggs.

What is this and what do I do?!

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I wonder if it was just eating the dead flesh? Not sure what it is though!

 

[evolved]

It's a gall crab. Rather common.

 

[Bryan47]

Wow, no one was able to tell me that. That's exactly what it is.

 

[Bryan47]

I posted this on the local club forums and I got answers from copepod to shrimp lol