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manny
Fri, 9th Apr 2004, 07:51 AM
Found these guys crawlin around on the glass. Any idea what they are?
Instar
Fri, 9th Apr 2004, 09:32 AM
They look like chitons from this side. Are they segmented across their backs kinda like an armadillo or sow bug? If so, then thats what they are.
GaryP
Fri, 9th Apr 2004, 10:42 AM
Chitons are sorta like a minature abalone. Something between a snail and a slug.

Gary
manny
Fri, 9th Apr 2004, 03:23 PM
Not really sure if they are segmented across their backs. I can't seem to find the little guys anymore. They're probly chitons though. Thanks
Instar
Fri, 9th Apr 2004, 06:17 PM
From what I see they look snaily. The other thing I thought of was limpets. Need a top picture to be sure or just bring one to the meeting. If they disappear, chitons bury themselves. Limpets head for the top water line and will be hidden by the tank frame. There is an odd looking crustacean thing that looks similar, but, I've not seen them this large. (which is no evidence of existence either way - I have some smaller things that look similar)
manny
Sun, 11th Apr 2004, 05:12 AM
Larry, these things are pretty little. For reference, the black part along the bottom of the pictures posted is the outer edge of my glass. 1/4" thick. The bottom of em seems to look hairy and not like the bottom of a snail or abalone. They seemed to be walking on the glass with legs instead of movin around like a snail would??? I'm outta town now but if I can find another one of them again when I get back into town I can try and bring em to the meeting. Any other ideas what they could be now knowin how small they are?
OrionN
Sun, 11th Apr 2004, 07:29 PM
These guys are Isopods. They are crustaceans. Some are scavengers; some are predators; still others are parasites. The dreaded fish parasites are Isopods that prey on fish by attached on them and suck the juice out of them every night. I have some Isopods in my tank that are about 1/4 inch long and swim around fairly fast, and craw around on the sand and rock. Fortunately, those in my tank are scavengers and do not attack my fishes. I think they came from rocks that I found from Corpus Christi Bay.
Minh
manny
Thu, 22nd Apr 2004, 06:14 AM
With your guys help I was able to get these lil isopods narrowed down to a type called "sand skaters". Shouldn't be harmful. There's a good website that lists all sorts of different isopods including sand skaters here http://www.rshimek.com/odd_critters.htm