Are these hitchhikers mass murderers?

[tmynice]

I recently purchased a awesome Christmas tree rock from my local fish store I’ve had it in my tank for three weeks and just noticed these hitchhikers after watching it during a feeding. Does anybody know what they are? I think one may be a mantis shrimp. Because the Christmas tree worms are sensitive I did not dip or treat the rock. The rock itself is a little larger than a softball. The possible mantis shrimp is pea size.

Thanks!

Feathery antenna

Mantis shrimp? If you look closely you can see two eyeballs.

 

[KJ]

Barnacle nothing to worry about.

 

[JAWS 32]

I recently purchased a awesome Christmas tree rock from my local fish store I’ve had it in my tank for three weeks and just noticed these hitchhikers after watching it during a feeding. Does anybody know what they are? I think one may be a mantis shrimp. Because the Christmas tree worms are sensitive I did not dip or treat the rock. The rock itself is a little larger than a softball. The possible mantis shrimp is pea size.

Thanks!

Feathery antenna

Mantis shrimp? If you look closely you can see two eyeballs.

It's possible it's a tiny mantis. I had one that was a little bit bigger than a grain of rice that came in on a new rock I added. I too, noticed the feathery antenna and stalked the rock with a magnifying glass. That's when I saw him shoot out at lightning speed to get a piece of food. He was in there for a few months before in one of his attempts to get a piece of food, he became the food. One of my wrasses nabbed sadly. He was very cool. I wish I would have had him longer. I have had the barnacles too and your "antenna" look more like my little mantis. Good luck with him whatever he made be!

 

[tmynice]

I think I have an i.d. I will try and post better pictures, but I believe it is a paguritta hermit crab. Apparently they are hermit crabs without shells that live in corals. They often live with Christmas tree corals because they use the worm holes...... Here is a stock photo I fond on line. Thanks all.

 

[tmynice]

I believe I have a positive i.d. Paguritta Hermit crab. Apparently they are common in Christmas tree corals because they live in the worm holes.... Here is a photo of one that I found.

Thanks all

 

[DangerDave]

That's really neat!

 

[philosophile]

make sure you feed those christmas tree worms well.... . They often die of starvation in our tanks. They primarily eat phyto, so you'll need to dose daily.... and make sure you keep up with nutrient export. They're tough to keep.

 

[JAWS 32]

this was my little guy!

 

[JAWS 32]

Yours does resemble the pic you posted though!

 

[tmynice]

I will try and get a better picture and repost.