What kind of pod? Isopod?

pugcrush · Jan 20, 2017

I'm usually pretty good at ID's but this little guy has me stumped. At first I thought it was a white flatworm b/c of the tail. Once I scooped him out, I saw the tail had three points. I also see three eyes. It doesn't appear to be a fish parasitic isopod. Small as a smaller scaled asterina. Has plenty of small legs like a pod & darts around pretty fast. I don't like tossing out the good guys, lol. I hope the picture/video helps.
Thanks!

loweryphil · Jan 20, 2017

Get that thing out ASAP

ahiggins · Jan 20, 2017

whoa! how interesting!

So heres the deal-Ive seen others with this type of "octopus looking pod"....it can be a Creoland Isopod which are really bad, parasitic to fish
OR
It could be a Sphaeromatid isopod which are really good and harmless.
Problem is...without sending it off for an ID, you may never know which is it.

Lionfish Lair · Jan 20, 2017

It's a sphaeromatid. Put 'em back in.

pugcrush · Jan 20, 2017

loweryphil said:
Get that thing out ASAP

lol that's how I felt

ahiggins said:
whoa! how interesting!

So heres the deal-Ive seen others with this type of "octopus looking pod"....it can be a Creoland Isopod which are really bad, parasitic to fish
OR
It could be a Sphaeromatid isopod which are really good and harmless.
Problem is...without sending it off for an ID, you may never know which is it.

Thank you!