FishProfiles.com Message Forums

	Uninvited Guest
lazylizardlady Fingerling Posts: 33 Kudos: 21 Votes: 1 Registered: 29-Sep-2005	I feel kind of stupid asking this question, but I can't seem to come up with an answer on my own. I have these teeny tiny little brown bug things in my tank. I had them before in one of my cichlid tanks. They are only on the surface of the water and seem to jump around. I thought they were water fleas (daphnia) whatever - but with what I've read it seems that they swim in the water?? These are just on the water surface. They don't seem to be doing any harm but I just want to make sure. What are these little things?!?!
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:55
bettachris Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 3875 Kudos: 4173 Votes: 452 Registered: 13-Jun-2004	do u have any plants(live) i had some bugs that came in, and they said that it means the plants were from a healthy enviroment.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:55
Megil TelZeke Fish Addict Posts: 863 Kudos: 890 Votes: 393 Registered: 21-Jul-2003	I am not sure what they are, but I also ahve them in my 75G. I have yet to see them do any harm, and they don't even break the water tention. Personally I just left them be, they are interesting little critters that probably feed off of microorganisms on the water's surface. They are far to small looking more like brown dots that jump around the surface. HTH, Megil.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:55
bcwcat22 Big Fish Posts: 395 Kudos: 314 Votes: 34 Registered: 16-Jul-2005	http://www.petfish.net/articles/Aquarium_Basics/bug-worm.php Try that website. "A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man" Simpsons
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:55
Megil TelZeke Fish Addict Posts: 863 Kudos: 890 Votes: 393 Registered: 21-Jul-2003	It is none of those, these creature reside on the water's surface tention and the sides of the glass. they simply jump around on the surface of the water, I have never seen them enter the actual water or the fish acknowledge their existence. They are really tiny, they literally look like specks of dust or dandruff, except they are a brownish color. Megil. Last edited by Megil Tel'Zeke at 31-Oct-2005 18:13
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:55
lazylizardlady Fingerling Posts: 33 Kudos: 21 Votes: 1 Registered: 29-Sep-2005	yep - that's exactly what I have. You can't even see them unless you're really looking. I don't have any live plants right now. Unfortunately I don't have enough wattage on my lights and every time I've tried live plants it's a complete disaster. I don't think they are doing any harm - all fish seem to be very healthy, and I'm pretty sure that my platies and gourami might be snacking on them. I'm just curious to know what they are. Maybe I'll go to the LFS and see if they have any ideas.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:55
Calilasseia Ultimate Fish Guru Panda Funster Posts: 5496 Kudos: 2828 Votes: 731 Registered: 10-Feb-2003	I've had these. About 3 millimetres in length maximum, and usually shorter? Greyish brown in colour, and capable of jumping as if they're propelled by the Space Shuttle's solid rocket boosters? Springtails. They're harmless. They live off surface detritus. If you have any aquascaping features that poke above the water surface, what will happen is this. Odd particles of flake food will be drawn to them by surface tension, stick there, and the Springtails will feed off those. Here you go, a website that covers them in some detail: Springtails Enjoy! Last edited by Calilasseia at 02-Nov-2005 14:28 Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:55


	Jump to:

The views expressed on this page are the implied opinions of their respective authors.
Under no circumstances do the comments on this page represent the opinions of the staff of FishProfiles.com.

FishProfiles.com Forums, version 11.0
Mazeguy Smilies