Is this a copepod?

[TriggerFinger]

A few of these hang out on the thermometer probe in my tank. I always thought pods were much smaller. Is this a pod of some sort?

 

[scobeyra]

Looks like a chiton maybe. Definitely not a copepod, too big.

 

[TriggerFinger]

I just saw a couple posts about the the predatory isopod...I’m paranoid now! ;Wideyed

Doesn’t look like a chiton on a google search. This had a hard shell and little black eyes.

 

[Maritimer]

Not a chiton, and does look more like a cirolanid isopod. Those are the predatory ones - good job getting it out of your tank!

~Bruce

 

[Lovemyreef2015]

Agree with above cirolanid isopod.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

Yall sure that isn't a Sphaeromatid? Eyes look too small and too far apart to be a cirolanid.

 

[davocean]

Yall sure that isn't a Sphaeromatid? Eyes look too small and too far apart to be a cirolanid.

Good eye Bob, and agree the eyes are the key for ID here.

Check here.

https://www.lionfishlair.com/hitchhikers-guide/

 

[TriggerFinger]

Oh jeez. There’s more, I only pulled one out. Is it the one that attaches to the fish’s tongue??

 

[TriggerFinger]

This is what lionfish has for a good isopod. I think it looks more like this one. It did not have antennas. Am I safe?

 

[davocean]

I'm pretty certain what you have is actually beneficial, lionfish lair confirms ID as so.

I remember finding this myself a long time ago and eye placement being key here