Hitchhiker on my crab

abrummer

abrummer

New Member
My family and I are VERY new to the hobby and are almost done w/ the cycling process. Yesterday we purchased four hermit crabs. While watching the little guys explore their new home, we noticed one had a small growth on it's shell. It kind of looks like a small flower and thought perhaps it was algae, but we freaked out when we noticed it retracted itself when another crab wondered by. It is too small to photograph, so sorry I can't post a pic. The thing does not have a "tube" or "stem". Not really sure. Any ideas? Thanks!
 
pezenfuego

pezenfuego

Active Member
Barnacles? Can you describe it in great detail...here's a pic/animation of a barnacle. I don't know what the chances are of it being a barnacle but my hermits have one or two of these...rock barnacles.
 
abrummer

abrummer

New Member
Thanks so much for the kind welcome and ideas. It kind of looks like the rock barnicle in the animation. The wavy "flowery" things are striped black and white. When it retracted, it goes almost completely flat. I've looked at pics of aptasia and it doesn't really look like that. If barnicle wins, is this good or bad?
 
pezenfuego

pezenfuego

Active Member
Originally Posted by ABrummer
http:///forum/post/3018652
Thanks so much for the kind welcome and ideas. It kind of looks like the rock barnicle in the animation. The wavy "flowery" things are striped black and white. When it retracted, it goes almost completely flat. I've looked at pics of aptasia and it doesn't really look like that. If barnicle wins, is this good or bad?
Probably a barnacle. If it has a feathery top, then chances are it's harmless. Barnacles for sure are harmless. They filter feed. They eat plankton from the water column. Some may consider them beneficial. You're probably good to go. I tried to take a picture of one of my barnacles...but that isn't happening, it's WAY too hard to do. That's why I had to use an animation. Good Luck
 
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