White Moving Spots

[batman669]

I have a 2-2.5 gallon tank with just a betta in it. Its been needing a cleaning for quite some time. There has been much algae in it (mostly on the sides) and I would just scrape it off when I did water changes. Today I've noticed little tiny white spots if you will (no bigger than an eye of a needle), along some of the sides. These tiny things look like tiny bubbles at first glance, but up close I notice them crawling (I think, waaay too small to tell what they are). The only thing I can think of is baby snails? I have had a snail in the tank (to help keep it clean) a while ago, but its been at least 6 months. These little dot creatures seem to crawl (seem too fast for a snail slither), seem to have 2 small 'feelers' (another reason why I think snails), and are helpless when they lose grip of a surface. I removed the betta, just in case, but not sure what to do about the tank. These dot creature things seem to be hanging near the algae (no real proof of it though) and the small heater. I didn't notice any on the betta or in the gravel or anything. Please help!! Are these snails or some other...things? Any suggestions would be helpful!!! thanks!

 

[batman669]

Harmless, eh? Should I get rid of them (and how)? Will cleaning the entire tank do the trick?

 

[Phoenixfish]

ohh i think ive just descovered these but i put it on the tropical chit chat as soemform of algae as i havent seen them move...

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or its film algae by the descriptionalgae types
is film algae white?

 

[batman669]

I would say that it is a film algae.

How did the bugs get there? From the tank being dirty? I've only been using bottled water.

 

[Phoenixfish]

yeh ive desided its film, sounds abit like your description but my dont swim

 

[batman669]

So it's safe to put the betta back? I figure I'll just clean the entire tank (it's been needing it), but really can't get to it until the weekend. Thanks for all the help!

_batman

 

[batman669]

It's a water bug. Not sure what exactly the name is, but they're harmless. Fish eat them

EDIT: They swim. It's quite fun to watch them swim, they look like miniature lady bugs.

Will they bother the betta? Will the betta eat them? Will leaving them allow them to grow in numbers? This new found bug is interesting, while still a little worrisome. I've had tanks for long time and never had anything like it.

 

[batman669]

Its been a while, but I'm still having problems on with these tiny creature things...


For a while now they have seemed to be fine with the betta. As of recently these creatures have been multiplying fast and a lot. It now seems to irritate the betta much more than before. I've drained the tank completely, washed it, and they seem to be back! I think it will be a while before they multiply into crazy numbers again, but I'd like to get rid of them and for good!

Thanks!