What It Is This!

[Twinklecaz]

Hi guys, I need your help urgently. I've just bought some new plants for my tank, had them soaking and was just about to start putting them in my tank when THIS suddenly shot out from one of them in the bowl!



This is a bird's eye view. WHAT IS IT I hoped at first it was a shrimp but I don't think it is. I'm worried it's something I really don't want in my tank and that there might be others I haven't found or loads of eggs. Heeeeeeellllp!

 

[pablothebetta]

I can't quite think what it is, but I think I've seen one of these somewhere before. Check the 'hitchhikers' thread, might be on there: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/277805-hitchhikers-in-freshwater-tanks-ponds/

Looks a bit like a damselfly nymph.

 

[fluttermoth]

It's an insect larvae of some kind; damsel fly, I think. Find somewhere outside to put it, you don't really want it in your tank!

 

[Twinklecaz]

Ug it's really creeped me out! Yeah I think it is a Damselfly Nymph, it has that 3 pronged tail.

I'm worried about the plants though, do you thinkit's safe to put them in my tank or is there likely to be eggs?

 

[fluttermoth]

I doubt very much if there'd be any more of them. They're not harmful to most fish anyway, though they could catch fry or shrimplets.

You could always give the plants a quick soak in a very strong salt solution (four or five tablespoons in a couple of pints of warm water). Leave the plants in there for five minutes and that will get rid of any other 'nasties'

 

[snazy]

If it is damselfly nymph, then it is in it's larval stage so it shouldn't be able to produce eggs I think.
I mean, even if you miss a few eggs, you should be able to catch the larvae before they are able to do any damage.

 

[Twinklecaz]

Thanks guys, will do that!

Actually do you mean table salt or aquarium salt? Coz I don't have the latter.

 

[fluttermoth]

Just for dipping plants, table salt is fin

 

[IainMac85]

having come across these in trout fishing i can confirm this is a damsel nymph see the similarities to the attatched pic these are staple part of a trout diet so i dont imagine it would harm any of your other fish if it was to be eaten. this wont produce eggs as its the adult damsel flies that reproduce.

 

[Liquid skills]

I left one in with my gilded once I took it out of cover and my comet was like FOOOOOOOOD! And that was the end lol

 

[Twinklecaz]

LOl thanks guys! I got told off by a gardener friend tonight coz apparently by chucking it in the garden I killed what would have been a "beautiful fly". Oppps.

Ps Liquid your Betta is beautiful! <3