Pistol Shrimp - What is it?

[hfp75]

On Feb 2nd I bought a Pistol Shrimp & Goby. All was well. I got home and found that my shrimp had a large deformation on this Left side. I phoned the store I got it at (will hold the store name back) & emailed the guy at the store (who happens to be the owner) these same 5 pictures. I was told the shrimp is molting.

Being new to this I figured he (fish store guy) knew what was going on and added the shrimp to my tank. Now on the 13th - yes 11 days later I am still curious. I saw the shrimp yesterday and the BULGE is still there - it has not changed at all & the shrimp seems active - when I can see him.

Today I re-emailed the store and have not received anything back as of yet.

My question - What is it? I'd love opinions... or better yet facts? The bulge has a little black dot/spot inside it at the front.

PICS:
http://s101.photobucket.com/albums/m...t=IMG_1757.jpg

http://s101.photobucket.com/albums/m...t=IMG_1766.jpg

http://s101.photobucket.com/albums/m...t=IMG_1762.jpg

http://s101.photobucket.com/albums/m...t=IMG_1761.jpg

http://s101.photobucket.com/albums/m...t=IMG_1756.jpg

[monocus]

no idea-but you could always call it Quasimodo.possibly nitrogen buildup?

[fishytime]

parasitic epicaridean isopod.....sometimes we will get 50 cleaner shrimp in and two or three will have bumps.....from what Ive read the isopod lives under the carapace which cause the deformation......they are an efficient parasite that doesnt seem to harm the shrimp

[hfp75]

What I have read you are very right.

Parasitic Epicaridea Isopod - Bobyridae (Bopyrid)

When it hatches - it doesnt sound like the next generation will survive (tank survival is not likely). Is that also the time when it is gone from my Pistol Shrimp? or will it continuously be there ? after hatching will it die off & go away or just do it again and again and again?

An interesting read.

hxxp://www.qualitymarine.com/News/Feature-Articles/Bopyrid-Isopods-in-the-Aquarium-%2802/24/11%29

[hfp75]

Here is a pic of my tank....

The emerald and pistol are not visible.... water has been stable, Ph drops down sometimes to 7.8'ish and I need a buffer to keep it up. Usually once a week I top up, change out water 10% and correct the Ph. Nothing otherwise as far as I can tell is a problem. I feed 1/2 a cube of brine shrimp a day & sometimes toss in 4-5 1mm sinking pelets (New Life Spectrum-Community Fish formula).



http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...5/IMG_0432.jpg

[MrGoodbytes]

Parasitic isopod is what came to my mind too. It mustn't be comfortable but it supposedly does no harm unless you try to remove it.