Angel Posted July 8, 2004 Share Posted July 8, 2004 I found this in some new zoo's today and my first thought was spider. The body doesn't look like the thin one that Tiny was asking about awhile back. It has a sharp point at the end of the legs (claws?) which it has four sets of. It reminded me of that pod alien that jumped on the faces in the movie alien. There is a distinguishable anus or head between the legs. This thing is tiny, maybe 1/8" with legs extended, so these pics are as good as it gets. The thing does not like to be off rubble or else it puts itself into a ball like an anemone does. I would appreciate any info on this thing or a direction to research it. Thanks in advance! Link to comment
Hwarang Posted July 8, 2004 Share Posted July 8, 2004 Could it be an echinoderm of some sort? How about a close up pic. Link to comment
Angel Posted July 8, 2004 Author Share Posted July 8, 2004 The claw like tips, of each leg and the protruding spots (head/anus) have me leaning against the echinoderm idea. If you know of one that has these features, I would love to see some close up pics to verify. I tried to get a closer pic, was lucky to get those, because he balls up when off the rubble and when I tried to get closer pics, they blurred. I did notice another detail wee hours this morning though, when he rolled over to go into a ball he had two smaller things (fangs/antennae) tucked under his abdomen that were one each side of one of the protruding parts. Link to comment
ghostbear29 Posted July 8, 2004 Share Posted July 8, 2004 im going for a crab vote. juvenile maybe? these antennae are probably eyes. the fangs are the mandible or small claws? what do you guys think. Link to comment
Spasticat Posted July 8, 2004 Share Posted July 8, 2004 looks like a baby brittle star Link to comment
Angel Posted July 8, 2004 Author Share Posted July 8, 2004 Not a miniature brittle because I have them in the sand and on my rock. This guy doesn't look like them. Link to comment
tinyreef Posted July 9, 2004 Share Posted July 9, 2004 could be another type of spider. there's a lot of different species and many yet to be tagged and bagged. description sounds like a spider. i don't know what the technical differences are between a crab and a spider. aren't they both very close on the evolutionary tree? is it eating anything? "gaahh, get it off, get it offf!" isopod, maybe? or some other type of *pod? Link to comment
Angel Posted July 9, 2004 Author Share Posted July 9, 2004 Actually it is so tiny that I put it in a container by itself so I didn't loose it and then see strange deaths occurring. The more research that I have done, the more that I see that it is actually a type of spider *sigh* so many different ones and not all pictured. I am still on my quest to find out what it is though and until then, it shall stay in that container. Link to comment
Wobach Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 did u read my post on your picture thread? ive had some about 8 of them on one rock in my old tank... my lfs look at a speciemen i took n said it could be some kinda baby star, they have good grip n theyre really slow? am i right... if not we have different things! Link to comment
bobioden Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 Did you post in the "Ask Dr. Ron" forum on Reef Central. I bet he can get you an answer. Ask Dr. Ron Link to comment
bobioden Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 Actually here is a thread on the same spider I believe. They are pynogonids . Spider HTH Bob Link to comment
Angel Posted December 30, 2004 Author Share Posted December 30, 2004 Yes, I asked Dr Ron and it is a spider. The exact species is unknown as there is over 600 different types, that is known and several hundred others that they do not. Link to comment
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