Post by Allaquatica on Jan 27, 2007 23:05:58 GMT -5
There are many 'Things' that may inadvertantly gain acess to our aquariums. usually hitchkiking in on plants or as eggs and larvae in water from your good old LPS. Some may simply just fly in a window.
Most of these aquarium dwellers are just harmless creatures that you would normally find living in ponds with fish in their natural habitat. A general rule of thumb is that if it isnt stuck to a fish it is usually harmless although there are always a few exceptions. Usually large predatory ragworm or dragonfly nymphs, also some large water beetles may make a snack of small fish. So. what might be in your tank?
Worms/slugs?
there is a small light brown/grey sluglike creature that is very common in aquariums. It is oval shaped, moves quite fast and has two little 'horns' and is usually about 5-10mm in length. This is the planaria worm. Harmless and can be invasive if fish are being overfed. There is also another small thin white worm that swims through the water, it is about 5mm and frequents filter medium, usually coming out in large numbers during feeding time or if filter is disturbed, commonly called an aquarium 'horseshoe' worm because of the u shape it makes when floating around. Harmless, again a product of overfeeding and somtimes a cycling tank.
Insects:
there are several insects that may frequent tanks. The first is Damselfly nymphs and dragonfly Nymphs. these are small six-legged carnivors and care should be taken to remove them as large ones may injure or eat small fish. these usually hitch-hike in on plants grown outdoors as eggs. Another of these predators is the water beetle. these can cause damage to fish as they are predatory.
Another more unusual guest may be the aquatic Caterpillar (species unknown) That makes itself a small shelter out of freshly cut aquatic leaves. it lives in the water and can cause extensive damage to plants. usually the first sign of its presence is a garden salad of fresh leaves floating at the surface of your tank. Should be removed immediatly if you can find it! out of its home it is bright green and covered in stiff bristles. not much is known about what it turns into although probably some species of Moth.
Most of these aquarium dwellers are just harmless creatures that you would normally find living in ponds with fish in their natural habitat. A general rule of thumb is that if it isnt stuck to a fish it is usually harmless although there are always a few exceptions. Usually large predatory ragworm or dragonfly nymphs, also some large water beetles may make a snack of small fish. So. what might be in your tank?
Worms/slugs?
there is a small light brown/grey sluglike creature that is very common in aquariums. It is oval shaped, moves quite fast and has two little 'horns' and is usually about 5-10mm in length. This is the planaria worm. Harmless and can be invasive if fish are being overfed. There is also another small thin white worm that swims through the water, it is about 5mm and frequents filter medium, usually coming out in large numbers during feeding time or if filter is disturbed, commonly called an aquarium 'horseshoe' worm because of the u shape it makes when floating around. Harmless, again a product of overfeeding and somtimes a cycling tank.
Insects:
there are several insects that may frequent tanks. The first is Damselfly nymphs and dragonfly Nymphs. these are small six-legged carnivors and care should be taken to remove them as large ones may injure or eat small fish. these usually hitch-hike in on plants grown outdoors as eggs. Another of these predators is the water beetle. these can cause damage to fish as they are predatory.
Another more unusual guest may be the aquatic Caterpillar (species unknown) That makes itself a small shelter out of freshly cut aquatic leaves. it lives in the water and can cause extensive damage to plants. usually the first sign of its presence is a garden salad of fresh leaves floating at the surface of your tank. Should be removed immediatly if you can find it! out of its home it is bright green and covered in stiff bristles. not much is known about what it turns into although probably some species of Moth.
