Dear Carrie:
Yup, it sure could be a skeleton shrimp. There are many different types of Caprellid amphipods and they come in various colors depending on the species and what they have been eating. If it has a distinct head with antennae, large clawlike forelimbs (the characteristic gnathopods), and grasping appendages at the end of its segmented tail (terminal hooks) that it uses to attach itself to the substrate, chances are good that it’s some sort of skeleton shrimp.
Do a web search for "skeleton shrimp" or "Caprellid amphipods" or "Caprella" and you may find pictures or drawings that you can compare to your hitchhiker to help you confirm its identification.
If it is a skeleton shrimp, your H. erectus would have made short work of him no doubt, but you’re right — it would be far too big for your Pixies to make a meal of, so it’s just as well that you removed it from your Pixie tank. I don’t think I could have done them any harm, but there’s no sense taking any chances.
Best of luck with your seahorse setups, Carrie!
Happy Trails!
Pete Giwojna
Post edited by: Pete Giwojna, at: 2007/01/10 03:46
Post edited by: Pete Giwojna, at: 2007/01/10 17:24
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