Hitchhiker or did my cleaner shrimp have babies?

[toxicdave45]

I found this little guy when I was shining my light on the tank. I have 2 cleaner shrimp which makes me wonder if this is an offspring? The rock he’s on just so happens to be live rock I bought at Petco which makes me wonder if it’s a hitchhiker. What are your thoughts on what it is?

 

[TinyReefObsession]

Unfortunately recordings can be finicky on here. Any chance you can upload a photo?

 

[DaJMasta]

I haven't actually been able to load the video yet, but if you're seeing something crawling on rocks, it's not cleaner shrimp - they would be free swimming in the water column (and swim towards the light in a still tank) and take weeks of development time before they can walk around on rocks like an adult.

If they're on the rocks and they're in the 1cm or smaller ballpark, it's probably amphipods or similar.

 

[toxicdave45]

I haven't actually been able to load the video yet, but if you're seeing something crawling on rocks, it's not cleaner shrimp - they would be free swimming in the water column (and swim towards the light in a still tank) and take weeks of development time before they can walk around on rocks like an adult.

If they're on the rocks and they're in the 1cm or smaller ballpark, it's probably amphipods or similar.

Here are pictures

 

[toxicdave45]

Unfortunately recordings can be finicky on here. Any chance you can upload a photo?

 

[Tavero]

I found this little guy when I was shining my light on the tank. I have 2 cleaner shrimp which makes me wonder if this is an offspring? The rock he’s on just so happens to be live rock I bought at Petco which makes me wonder if it’s a hitchhiker. What are your thoughts on what it is?

Gammarus amphipod. Usually harmless cleaning crew and potential fish food, but if their breeding is uncontested by fish or shrimp they can turn into a pest that eats coral.
I personally hate them an used palaemon elegans shrimps to eradicate them.

 

[BillB83]

looks like an amphipod of some sort

 

[Seansea]

Just an amphipod. Big one. Fish food. I had tons whe. My tank first started but wrasses make quick work of them.

 

[BillB83]

i used to have all sorts of critters like this in my one LPS tank until i put a six line and 2 springer damsels in it and they have eaten everything

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Here are pictures

I give up - where's Waldo?

 

[Cell]

 

[Reefering1]

I give up - where's Waldo?

Exactly what I was thinking right before I found him..

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Thanks, lol!