red bugs on my... EMERALD CRAB?!

[King-Kong]

Ok -- this is a pretty simple one to describe, and I am absolutely stumped;

One of my two emerald crabs (had a 3rd, female, that died with a full clutch of eggs still unreleased a couple days) came out into the light briefly, and while it was walking around, I saw some very small, VERY FAST red dots running around on it's body. They seemed slightly larger than red bugs seen on SPS corals, and, though I cant be sure, seemed to have a body shape similiar to small copepods.


Any ideas? I have never seen or heard of something like this before, so would love some help.

[smeese]

I have seen them before on emeralds I had in the past way before I has SPS let alone LRB. I wold not worry. They seem harmless.....kinda like fleas I guess This is just MO but maybe someone else will know different.

[King-Kong]

Any early morning love for my observation?

[skeety]

is it possible that they are fry? babies?

just a stab...sorry

[King-Kong]

I dont know anything about how emerald crabs, or crabs in general reproduce, but I figured they'd just release them into the water column.

That was my first thought, though, especially after seeing one of my dead female emeralds with a clutch. Perhaps it could still be the case? I must say, though, these spots move FAST.

[Geoff]

yea, most crustaceans are planktonic breaders. prolly are some kind of parasite. not sure if they would be harmfull or not towards the crab. if they were clustered around the crabs joints i would be a bit more worried. they could just be using the crab as shelter.

G~

[King-Kong]

I cant say with certainty that they were just on the joints, but based on what I saw, I would say they favored the joints closests to the main claws. I wasnt able to see any on the top of the body, and the legs are too hairy to spot. These are the only crustaceans (bar pods) in my tank. Redbugs forced me to get rid of most everything else prior to adding these guys, so I assume these parasites came in w/ the emeralds.