Woodlouse????

Hi guys,

I sometimes wake up through the night, and if i do i like to go look in my tank and see if there are any " creatures" moving around.

The other night i noticed what i can only describe as a woodlouse?

It was about an inch long and was stuck to the rock like a slug but had "plates" on its back like a woodlouse or prawn?

Im curious to know what it is? (and if its at all harmful)

Any ideas??

 

Without a pic I'm saying you saw a Chiton. A neat and cool member of your CUC.

 

A chiton?

I'll look it up! forgot to get a photo! (too early in the morning-brain wasnt working yet! lol)

 

Those two do look very similar..

 

Just looked up "chiton" up on google images!

Reefmonkey you are exactly right thats what i saw!!

New member of cuc,

Are they safe to keep?

 

? Woodlouse and prawn?? lol

was trying to explain the overlapping plates on the back of it!!!

Guess im no David Attenborough!! lol ;D

 

Yes they're safe. They are algae grazers and will help keep your tank cleaned up. Great hitchhiker! Congratulations

 

WOW thats great!! Im sitting here with a big smile on my face!!
I love that about keeping marine animals, you never know what you'll see next coming out of the living rock!!!

so chuffed with that!!

Cheers for your help Reefmonkey!!!!

 

Cool find. & I was referring to your description(what you thought to be a woodlouse) and chiton. These two look similar. lol

 

LOL I know exactly what you mean. Since I started my tank my sleep has been seriously deprived!
Get a flashlight and color the lens red with a marker or something similar. You'll be amazed, creeped out and maybe even a little frightened by the life that appears a couple hours after the lights out ;D