Parasite riding my watchman???

[aj2001]

Was going to put in HH forum, but since it invloves a fish I put it here.....Came home today to find what appeared to be a bug on the back of my yellow watchman,its the shape of a potato bug(oval shaped), about a quarter inch long ,kinda transparent,and dark brown, it has eight legs ,two anteni and lil feather looking hings out the back and would not let go, took abot ten mins in a collection cup w/ tweezers to get it off, w/ my luck, it probably wasnt harmful ... but hey thats my lil buddy he was anchored to. any ideas what it was?
Thanx
Aj

 

[reefsRcool]

sounds like a cirolanid paossibly. for your sake i hope not, these suckers are evil. they are pretty rare from what i have researched but i was unlucky enough to have them. Dr. Ron's FAQ pretty much describes how it has to be. if that is what you have do not rush it, they will come back. they just suck.

 

[Terry B]

Is this who I think it is? This is Terry B.

 

[ReefMon]

here check this out http://www.reefs.org/library/article/clarke_shimek.html
seems they have a thing for watchman's

 

[aj2001]

Thanx for the link reefmon thats what it was, just glad I got it off before any real damage was done, watchman is back tohis old self, I'll just have to keep a close eye out.
Aj

 

[Chucker]

You might also have a look at http://www.reefs.org/hhfaq/pages/pictur ... lanid.html for some pics.

Be aware that if you've seen one, there may be more.

 

[aj2001]

Thanx Chucker:
Yeah thats definatley what it was, except his internals were'nt transparent,probably filled up on blood. figured he was only on him for two hours at best before I removed it, just glad I got to him in time.......
.I'll be keeping a close eye out,
Hows the weather up there???, boy I miss home...too hot here in NC
Aj

 

[godblesswtc]

The exact same thing happened to my percula clownfish. I had caught the fish but the parasite was dislodged in the process. I believe it died(along with my percula) because it's been 2 months and it hasn't shown itself. These creatures are definitely nasty and from the sounds of it just as bad as a mantis in your tank.