Insects appeared from nowhere...

[Origami Gourami]

How do.

Apologies, but I'm not sure which forum to put this in. I've had a few silvery flea type bugs appear in my tank this evening after a 20% WC. I was wondering if anyone could help out. I've been reading other posts and they aren't dragonfly larvae or anything like that; elliptical, 1mm round, with two pairs of swimming legs, flitting from surface to plants quite rapidly, silver in colour.

Parameters are fine, no ammonia, etc. pH is at 7.5 as usual. Temp is at 30C (warmer for discus).

No sign of distress in fish, I'm hoping these are just plant botherers, but I can't be sure. They could have come from the water store, or they could have come from the two new plecs I added last week. No new plants have been added for about a month.

Could just be a common aquarium greenfly equivalent from the water store, but I wanted to check it out to be sure!

Apologies if this isn't an emergency - I wasn't sure if they'd multiply, or whatever. Most of all, I don't want them to start digging into my fish!

Any help, gratefully received!

Original Post

 

[Fella]

Any chance of a photo?

 

[Origami Gourami]

Too teeny weeny I'm afraid - would be nothing but a smudge! They are about 1mm wide and 2mm long, with two pairs of hair like legs, almond shaped. Very shiny bellies, I thought at first it was a chip on the inside of the glass (palpatations aplenty!).

They seem to be munching on the glass algae, hurtling up to the surface for air.

You'd think the discus would make short work of them, but they are just staring at me, sending 'fetch the bloodworm' vibes as usual...

 

[ncjharris]

They do sound familiar.
Let me have a look.

EDIT: Can't find what I was looking for - too late.

Their not daphina are they?
Anyhow, you mention that you feed your discus bloodworm. One way they could have gotten in is if they were in a bloodworm packet, accidently packaged at the factory (i.e they are another type of live food).

The discus could be ignoring them if they are too much hassle to eat!!

 

[Origami Gourami]

Good thinking, but the bloodworm I feed them is frozen!

You're absolutely right though, discus can be so lazy - it's almost like they know how pricey they are and develop diva behaviour accordingly!