Critter ID Help: Super Fast Centipede?

[Jim_Larkin]

Hi,

While watching my tank in the wee hours under the lunar light last night, I saw a very fast, very small, translucent critter shooting in and out of holes on the rock. It was probably 1/2 an inch, off white, and may have had pinchers on his tail/butt end, but very hard to tell. Kinda shaped like a centipede, but it was much too fast to see what its legs looked liked. Going in and out of the crevasses quickly, seemed like a ghost in a big hurry.

Any ideas? Would this critter use his powers for good or evil? I know that a picture would be helpful, but its definitely imposable; lack of light, lack of shutter speed... My biggest fear is that its a Mantis, and it will start knocking things out when it gets bigger. I have not heard the "sound" that mantis' make however. Its a 10 gallon nano, with roughly 12-14 lbs of LR. Definitely a hitchhiker.

Thoughts?

 

[Dave McReeferson]

I am not sure from your description of it's appearance, but you description of it's behavior makes me think immediately of pods (copepods), they are a desirable creature. Your visual description sounds more like a bristle worm (generally nothing to worry about), but they are not very quick.

 

[Dave McReeferson]

A copepod...

Image from here.

 

[RiverReefer]

i thought possibly a juvenile bristle worm...

 

[Dave McReeferson]

i thought possibly a juvenile bristle worm...

That was my first thought given his visual description, but the behavior doesn't sound right to me for that.

 

[Doherty]

Or maybe a amphipod

 

[Jim_Larkin]

Thanks!

That sounds right, but it just seemed longer and leaner than that, but it was hustling. I know i do have copepods, I've seen them when I've quickly taken some LR out of the tank. Overall, doesn't sound like a problem, that was my main concern.

 

[nichols]

I'd guess an amphipod. Some of the bigger ones in my fuges can move right along. Good guys.