stick insect looking critter

[jase]

hey guys
After recently losing all my fish and coral to an equipment failure I've had to start again from scratch, I'm about 1 month into my cycle with the tank almost ready to restock

Just had a look at the tank when i spotted these little guys having a little fight. I've searched for any reference to what they are with no luck so far, does anyone know what they are and also are they a pest that needs to be dealt with before i start restocking

 

[Salty B]

Kinda looks like some type of sea spider.

 

[jase]

no it's not a sea spider, In the pic there are two of these critters and u can see their heads with two antenna and they have two arms each that look like a prey mantis

 

[Bifferwine]

Skeleton shrimp?

If so, that's a new one. Never had anyone on here with that in their tank.

Hitch Hiking Copepods, Isopods and Amphipods

 

[chichimom79]

Cool! They do like like praying mantis!

 

[wontonflip]

Worse case, ask wetwebmedia. They're a great resource for unusual things.

 

[jase]

thanks bifferwine that's them
just had a real good look and i've found at least 8 of them though those two in the pic are the biggest at 2cm long

 

[Neno reefs]

coppied from wikipedia
Caprellids are omnivorous, feeding on diatoms, detritus, protozoans, smaller amphipods,

So good guys :)

 

[jase]

just found a whole heap of babies numbering close to 40

 

[Bifferwine]

They are so weird looking. What a unique find!

 

[Neno reefs]

Where did you buy the live rock at?

 

[jase]

I didn't get it from buying live rock as I've had all my rock for a few years now, As i said i lost all my coral and fish to my equipment failing, I had to get rid of all my water as it was pretty toxic so i collected new saltwater and i must of gotten them when i was pumping the water near the rocks

 

[jase]

just got a pic of one of the females with a group of babies

 

[Bifferwine]

LOL. That reminds me of "The Sound of Music". A bunch of baby shrimp and their matron, singing on top of a mountain.

 

[bjohanson1234]

The reef is alive with the sound of music!!!!!:mrgreen: