I need help on 3 that's right 3 IDs!!! Thanks!!

[soviettaco]

1. The brown Zoos (are they zoos?) anyone know what type?

2. I really hope I am wrong but does this look like a Mantis? I've been spotting him at night time and last night I finally was able to get pics (best I could do). He looks like he is a purple or blue color, he is usualy curled into a C shape. And I noticed he was eating stuff off the sand very much like a hermit crab does.

Here is what the head looks like and a better way of getting an idea of the shape, not sure what end the head was on from the pic. I couldn't get a clear look at how his eyes looked.

3. And finally why do I have all these bubbles under my sand what the heck are they?

Thanks!!!

 

[seahorse1000]

1. brown button polyps
2. not a mantis, those are amphipods (very good)
3. trapped air under the sand. just stir the sand up a little.

 

[olemiss]

The bubbles are from your sand bed doing its job. They are nitrogen bubbles formed from nitrates turning into harmless nitrogen gas. Don't stir the sand, they will work their way out on their own. Stirring the sand runs the risk of a mini cycle.

 

[soviettaco]

Originally Posted by seahorse1000
http:///forum/post/3145670
1. brown button polyps
2. not a mantis, those are amphipods (very good)
3. trapped air under the sand. just stir the sand up a little.

Thanks! The fact that it has a purple color scared me most mantis are green or purple colored
Originally Posted by OleMiss
http:///forum/post/3145713
The bubbles are from your sand bed doing its job. They are nitrogen bubbles formed from nitrates turning into harmless nitrogen gas. Don't stir the sand, they will work their way out on their own. Stirring the sand runs the risk of a mini cycle.
And thanks Ole Miss I wasn't sure if it was from the nitrogen cycle or not, I've noticed some little tunnels near them so I was thinking maybe they were from some little sand critters. But your opinion sounds more accurate.

And yeah I have nassarius snails that will stir the sand up for me.