Foreign Creatures

[rykitten]

Hi Everyone,

While feeding Otis and Cletus tonight I noticed something new. There are teeny tiny white things hopping around inside the tank. They are smaller than a pin head and are white. I cannot see the body shape because they are little specks. I assume they have legs because a worm probably could not jump around as these things do.

Have any idea what they are? Should I be concerned?

If it helps at all, I added 2 dwarf lily bulbs about a week ago. They just started sprouting.

:EDIT: I saw Cletus eat one!

 

[William]

They sound like planaria to me. No problems for your fish usually a symptom of bad water conditions though - perhaps reduce your feeding and step up your water changes to get rid of them.

 

[Lateral Line]

If they are free swimming, they are probably a small crustacean, copepod etc., which will get eaten over a period.

Planarians usually glide over the surface of the glass or tank fixtures. Also not a big problem per-se, eaten by some species, but often indicative of over feeding. Can damage fish eggs.

 

[rykitten]

Okay, so consensus is to feed less and do some extra water changes until they are gone. Nothing to be terribly concerned about.

Thanks fellas!