Tell me what this critter is

[kyarnkid]

I have recently been looking at night in my tank to see if I have a mantis shrimp. My tank is 9 weeks old and I saw something tonight. It looked like a centipede only very very small. It looked clear and it wasn't the size of a fngernail. I did not see any claws because if it even had any they were to small to detect. It moved slow and when I flash a white light on it. It did not seem to mind. It was on a "dead" rock of mine I think eating algae.
Does anyone know what this thing is?
Do you think it is a baby Mantis shrimp?

 

[whipple]

Sounds like a baby brisstle worm but not sure with the clear part but might still be in the same family.

[hr]
Bill

 

[fshhub]

well, did it ahve a distinguishable head, mantis will, they even have noticable eyes, if it did not bolt, an dhad no arms(i owuld try to get a better look to make sure),and was definitely eating algae, i would have to say it probably is NOT a mantis, and some type of worm, as i said in your other post, try to make sure, and if this is the same critter, you are probably safe, especially since i believe they are strict carnivores,and you will be able to see a mantises claws when it eats, they get their name form theit appendages(arms or claws), which fold under the body, and they use them for hunting and feeding both

 

[kyarnkid]

It looked more like a silverfish than anything. I did not see any claws. I just say antennas on its head. I could not tell about its eyes. This thing I saw is extrmely tiny. When I shined the light on it, it just went about its business. The only way I could describe it would be like a minature centapede.

 

[fshhub]

i am pretty sure mantises do not thave antenna(not that are of noticable length anyhow0, their eyes are more prominent, frowm what i have seen