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On one of my tanks, i have recently seen like 50 or so little brown bugs that sit and jump around on the surface of the water. When i was doing a water change, they were all over the sides of the glass crawling around. Most are very small almost invisible, but others are about 1/3 of a millimeter.

Any clue as to what they may be?

Any way to remove them?

Thanks!

†Aquapickle†

Hi,
Are there any others arround the house? Could be that
the warmth, moisture, and light from the tank are drawing
them to the tank. I doubt that it has anything to do with
the tank itself.

Surface feeding fish, such as hatchet fish might make
short work of them.
Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

They don't seem to be doing any harm, i just wasn't sure. I tried some parasite killer, but that doesn't seem to work. I may have to give hatchet fish a try.

Thanks Frank!

†Aquapickle†

I forget what they are called but aren't harmful. They aren't a parasite just some bugs that feed off whatever microscopic organisms. Fish will enjoy eating them. I'm not sure how to get rid of them otherwise. I usually have at least 1 or 2 surface dwelling fish that eagerly hunt such bugs so it's never become a problem in most of my tanks.

They are springtails. If they annoy you, you can suck them off the surface of the water with your python when you do your water changes. The following is from Virginia Tech:

Springtail

SIZE: Less than 1/5 inch (5mm)

COLOR: Pale brown to cream colored

DEscriptION: Springtails are very small (rarely more than 1/5 inch long), pale brown to cream colored insects that seem to hop and disappear when disturbed. The common name "springtail" has been applied to these insects because of this habit of springing away. A hook-like structure on the bottom side of the abdomen is snapped against the ground and this propels the insect.

HABITAT: Springtails are commonly found in moist or damp places, usually in contact with soil. Homeowners encounter them in damp basements and on the surface of the soil of household plants. The moist, organic soil of house plants provides them the proper environment to live and increase in numbers. Plants that are over- watered during the fall and winter can support a large population of springtails in the potting soil.

LIFE CYCLE: Populations are often high, up to 100,000 per cubic meter of surface soil, or many millions per acre. Some can reproduce at temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

TYPE OF DAMAGE: Springtails have chewing mouthparts, but they rarely, if ever, damage house plants (roots or leaves). Frequently, plants begin to decline and homeowners blame the springtails. But not so! Springtails rarely cause the death of house plants-over- watering can, however.

I've had these critters and they are fun to watch. They particularly liked the vegetation that broke the surface of the water. Note that their body mass is not sufficient to break the surface tension of the water.



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