Help - Bugs In Tank :-(

[Smurf]

Hope someone can help here - I've just noticed about 10 small (0.5mm & roundish) THINGS crawling about on my bogwood. In the tank I have an albino bristlenose, 5 cardinal tetras & 1 small fish of questionable parentage (probably a platy); nothing has been changed recently, nothing added, water parameters: Nitrite & Ammonia 0, Nitrates & pH a bit high & have the hardest water on the planet (Thames Valley!). Two questions:

1. Any ideas what they are?
2. Will a massive water change (to reduce nitrates) be enough to rid me of them?
3. Should I remove the bogwood & replace, or am I just seeing them there because its dark and they aren't?

THANK YOU

Daisy x

 

[Monty-2010]

take a look at this link see if you can identify them

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/277805-hitchhikers-in-freshwater-tanks-ponds/

if they're not on here can you get us some pics?

 

[doresy]

Hi, if it were me I'd take out the bog wood and pour boiling water over it......if in doubt.... sanitize!

 

[Smurf]

The imposters are far too tiny to photograph.... It's possible they're Copepods but I've boiled them anyway - I don't like mystery bugs That's a great link though - who knew all those horrible things could set up home? Ugh!!

Thanks!

 

[zuulan]

Yes, that is a good post. Why isn't it pinned? Unfortunately it didn't show my problem mites. I think I got rid of mine. I've decommissioned the tank and put it in the garage. Our recent freeze will have hopefully killed them off.

 

[Smurf]

Yes, that is a good post. Why isn't it pinned? Unfortunately it didn't show my problem mites. I think I got rid of mine. I've decommissioned the tank and put it in the garage. Our recent freeze will have hopefully killed them off.

That should do the trick

I think I'm stuck with mine... boiling the log didn't work, THE BUGS ARE BACK

I've had just about the closest look I can & I now think they *might* be the ostracods. The post says these feed on algae & detritus and they do seem to be clustered around the base where all the gunk would collect, so I'm going to live with them for a while since I think it would require a similar decommissioning to get rid.... and keep an eye on the residents just in case they start looking peaky. I'm doing my water changes with a jug from now on though, not the syphon I have to suck to get going I'm still mystified where they've come from though - I've not added anything to the tank for MONTHS!

Happy New Year

Daisy x