Another Parasitic Isopod Thread

[SteveVT_MSE]

I saw a few others but wasn't 100% sure. Found this in my sump and was hoping to confirm whether or not it was a parasitic isopod. I've looked at tons of photos but can't be 100% either way. I did read about balling up but wasn't sure to what extend I should see it ball up so here is a photo and a quick video clip to show.

Thanks for your help!
-Steve

 

[SteveVT_MSE]

And videos:

Video 1

Video 2

 

[SteveVT_MSE]

Just realized photo didn't upload the first time.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

Those are cirolanids, I'm afraid.

 

[SteveVT_MSE]

Well that's not good news. Since I caught it in a filter sock now the question is how likely it is that I have more... guess it's time to get the magnifying glass out.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

I won't be on my regular computer (bigger screen) for a bit, but do you still have them for more pictures? Those eyes are not looking as forward set as I originally thought.

The video does not show a curling "balling" isopod, but a folding or bending isopod. That's more indicative of it being a cirolanid. The color/pattern is also indicates it's likely a cirolanid, but I'm getting a feeling that it should be looked at a little closer.

The eyes.... they are saying "Sphaeromatid" to me.

 

[SteveVT_MSE]

I do still have the specimen. Those are the same problems I had in identifying. The eyes don't seem to precisely to either classification. If you want to message me your e-mail I can send a few more shots and hopefully they'll be a little better quality through e-mail.

-Steve

 

[Lionfish Lair]

So... with the additional pictures, I'm pretty sure this is a cirolanid. :-(

 

[cj in sac ca]

New to pod I'd but how is this pod bad?

 

[Lionfish Lair]

The cirolanids are parasitic on fish :-(

 

[braappn]

Hello, reviving this thread because i have caught an isopod nearly identical to the OP's pictures, and wondered if anyone has any thoughts on ID or plan of attack.

The tail looks 100% cirolanid. The eyes, as described in the OP's isopod, look kind of halfway between the two species. I tend to believe this guy is parasitic though.

Tank is 3.5 months old, 29 gallon with ~35lbs of pacific live rock from LFS, 3 fish. I first spotted an isopod scurrying around a rock during feeding time. I have not observed one attached to a fish, but I have seen an unexplained little scratch on my clownfish.

The next night I tried to catch one using bait and a trap like described elsewhere. Sure enough this guy appeared on the sand bed immediately after I poured a little food into the tank. I was able to snatch him in turkey baster.

The way he was poised on the sand bed says parasite to me. He was sitting still like lying in wait and his posture looked like attack mode ready to pounce on something.

I pretty much plan to try the bait and trap two or three more times and hopefully not catch any more! Just wanted to share my experience, thanks for any thoughts.

 

[Rip Van Winkle]

Would getting a cleaner wrasse be a solution for these?

 

[braappn]

From what I've been reading there's not any effective predators of these things for our tanks. These guys are pretty tough, and big too. I can't be 100% sure mine was a parasitic species since I never saw him on a fish but better safe than sorry. Went hunting again last night, didn't see anything, that's a good thing. Will try a couple more times for good measure.