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	Little White Critters.....
Rduran Small Fry Posts: 14 Kudos: 13 Votes: 0 Registered: 17-Apr-2004	I noticed some little white critters at the bottom of my tank. I did a water change and saw lots of these little guys. What are they?
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
OldTimer Mega Fish USAF Retired Posts: 1181 Kudos: 1294 Votes: 809 Registered: 08-Feb-2005	Is this a FW or SW tank. Can you describe them better or post a photo? Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
Shannen Banned Posts: 1160 Kudos: 1686 Votes: 98 Registered: 17-Feb-2004	I'm assuming this is a Fresh Water Tank, since you posted it in Gen Fresh Water. I forget the exact name for them. They are harmless to your fish, and seem to show up in tanks that are fed high protein diets.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
Fallout Moderator Communications Specialist Posts: 6416 Kudos: 4053 Votes: 742 Registered: 29-Jul-2000	Planaria? the little wormies?
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
Shannen Banned Posts: 1160 Kudos: 1686 Votes: 98 Registered: 17-Feb-2004	Score 1 Timmay! Yup Tim has exactly what I was talking about.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
FRANK Moderator Posts: 5108 Kudos: 5263 Votes: 1690 Registered: 28-Dec-2002	Hi, Now that you have had them identified, it's time to do some house cleaning to eliminate them. That they exist indicates that you are probably over feeding your fish, and the excess food is left to rot in the gravel and is providing the food the worms need to thrive. Or, you have not cleaned the gravel along with your weekly tank maintenance. Read the information on this site: http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/qa/f/faq0050.htm and others associated with the worm. Frank -->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
Rduran Small Fry Posts: 14 Kudos: 13 Votes: 0 Registered: 17-Apr-2004	I do ahvea freshwater tank, they are very samll and white like bug like critters. I do water changes every two weeks. No is it possible they are the white spot or itch ?
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
Fallout Moderator Communications Specialist Posts: 6416 Kudos: 4053 Votes: 742 Registered: 29-Jul-2000	The ich parasite is far to small to see. The white spots you see on fish when they're infected is actually a secondary bacterial infection from the parasite burrowing out of the skin.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
zachjc_14 Enthusiast Posts: 205 Kudos: 211 Votes: 24 Registered: 20-Apr-2004	These small creatures are also in my aquarium and are not worm-like at all. They are almost as if they are some sort of shrimp that if given the chance my fish love to snack on. They are extremely hard to see (burrow in the gravel) but my water parameters are perfect and if anything I underfeed. If anyone has a clue as to what these are, I would greatly appreciate it. Although this may be a different creature from what the creator of this post is experiencing I do believe this is what he is speaking of.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
Natalie Ultimate Fish Guru Apolay Wayyioy Posts: 4499 Kudos: 3730 Votes: 348 Registered: 01-Feb-2003	They are probably freshwater amphipods, which are fairly common in most freshwater habitats. I would not be surprised if they got into your tank by hitching a ride on plants, fish, or snails. They are harmless to fish, and range in size from 1/32 - 5/8" long. They are a good food source for young and small fish. I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
zachjc_14 Enthusiast Posts: 205 Kudos: 211 Votes: 24 Registered: 20-Apr-2004	These creatures seem to love cleaning my gravel and the overall quality of my aquarium and fish have improved. I recently purchased several bundles of live plants which is where I am assuming they came from.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
pookiekiller12 Fish Addict Posts: 574 Kudos: 633 Votes: 41 Registered: 13-Apr-2004	Will fish eat planaria??
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
leongreenway Enthusiast Posts: 205 Kudos: 199 Votes: 0 Registered: 23-Feb-2005	You sure these arent some surviving Brine shrimp that havent been gobbled up by the fish ? http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/zoolab/Table_of_Contents/Lab-7a/Arthropod-Brine_Shrimp/Lab_7a-15a.jpg
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
Shannen Banned Posts: 1160 Kudos: 1686 Votes: 98 Registered: 17-Feb-2004	Brine shrimp do not live for very long in fresh water.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51
leongreenway Enthusiast Posts: 205 Kudos: 199 Votes: 0 Registered: 23-Feb-2005	Good point, Saline solution, forgot about that !! :%):%):%)/:'
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:51


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