What in the holy heck is this thing?

[laezur]

I was just feeding shrimp and saw this tiny little thing grappling with one, eventually letting it go. What on earth is it, I’ve just noticed two of them and I have no idea what they are.

sorry that the video is blue, I didn’t have time to change the lights as I didn’t want to lose it.

It’s red in colour, seems to have two antennae, and is see through on its underside.

(Not the vermatid snail, it’s the tiny creature next to it)

 

[Zach B]

Looks like an amphipod to me. Best of luck

 

[ying yang]

Yeah moves like an ampripod.
Most see them as beneficial in a reef tank

 

[laezur]

What do you mean by best of luck? I know nothing about these things, are they bad?

Looks like an amphipod to me. Best of luck

 

[ying yang]

What is that!! A R2R guide to common new tank hitchhikers.

One of the greatest things about starting a reef tank is getting your live rock in and admiring all the diversity within it. The rock comes to life different creatures. This is a guide that I, along with a very well known critter identifier @KJ , have put together for the new reefer on what...

www.reef2reef.com

Some other common hitchhikers hikers that we get in our tanks

 

[Zach B]

Lol, sorry I finish most of everything I post with that. Normal part of a clean up crew. Some have issues when they are in very high numbers. I have never had any issues with amphipods

 

[laezur]

Lol, sorry I finish most of everything I post with that. Normal part of a clean up crew. Some have issues when they are in very high numbers. I have never had any issues with amphipods

oh right well thank you everyone, seem like they are an indicator of a healthy aquarium so glad to see them. I only have two clowns, so if they get out of hand I’ll up the fish levels to keep them in check haha

 

[ying yang]

If dont want/ like or want to keep numbers in check then can employ certain fish that go around actively hunting them ( ovbiously fish can't distinguish between what's a good critter or bad critter ,as they all probably tasty)
Most my fish I got in my tank ive got for a certain reason,like eat certain pests,algae or aiptasia or what not ,( just incase get them) not all fish that get recommended to eat a certain pest actually do,it's just that some or most can do etc)
Btw not saying ampripods are pests,as I consider them beneficial but just giving you options,like alot of wrasses just zoom around the tank looking for pods/ critters to eat ^_^
Need to find out recommended tank size and compatability of your other livestock before adding anything .
Good luck and enjoy