Strange Creature

[rockme567]

Hi my dad i and were gettin baby guppie from my filter when we found a strange creature 2cm long with too big eyes and 3 points coming out of its tail

if anyone knows what it is please tell me and if so is it good or bad
dan

 

[fishyfreak]

What kind of filter was it, and what do you currently have in your tank? Hopefully it's not a freshwater filter monster, they live on guppies and will eventually outgrow your filter.

 

[WILDER]

Is it possible to load a pic up of the creature.
What colour is it. Does the tail look forked, not quite sure what you mean.

 

[fifefish]

by any chance does it look like this?

if so its a mayfly larvae, there often hitchhikers from new plants..

 

[fishyfreak]

BTW I was joking about the filter monster thing, I can't just assume you'll know that.

 

[WILDER]

That sending shudders down my spine.

 

[FishFanatic13]

by any chance does it look like this?

if so its a mayfly larvae, there often hitchhikers from new plants..

YES !!! I would guess thats what it is, though a lot smaller at this stage...approx 3 times the size of the fry we have. Forgive a niaive question, mayfly larvae, is it harmful to our fish / tanks ?

 

[fifefish]

it feeds on small crustaceans and fish fry so is harmful too small fish..

 

[FishFanatic13]

Ok Thanks

 

[fifefish]

no problem
i always try to help

 

[keenonfish]

it feeds on small crustaceans and fish fry so is harmful too small fish..

Are mayfly nymphs carnivorous? Not sure tbh... I had some grow up in a water tray when I used to grow carnivorous plants. Nothing else live but moss in them!
This creature could equally be a damsel nymph which do generally eat smaller insects, and possibly tiny fry, but these would be hoovered up by other tank mates first I would imagine!

As I always say if he hasn't done any harm yet and it isn't a fry tank I would leave him alone until he hatches or gets eaten by a fish!

 

[fifefish]

its more likely to be a Mayfly due to its small size..
but either way its not a good thing to have in a tank..

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...p;#entry2328901


Take a look at that. Great read, and will answer any questions you got

 

[keenonfish]

its more likely to be a Mayfly due to its small size..
but either way its not a good thing to have in a tank..

I agree with the size thing but you can't rule a damsel out. Mayflys are I think Detrivores so they would pose absolutely no risk in a tank IMO. Damsels only a very small risk to very small fry, probably. Dragonfly nymphs on the other hand are quite fierce and are known to grab small minow etc..