[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
Re: Serious Insect problem
From: June Oshiro <idlewild at rci_rutgers.edu>
Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2001 21:02:02 -0400
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Help!
I was doing a water change and noticed what looked like a swarm of bubbles
that you see right when you pour a soda. I looked closely, and they are a
thousand million little INSECTS living on the surface of my tank! They
range from pale brown to pale red, are about 0.5 mm long, and jump easily
across the water surface. Ugh. It's disgusting. What are they? How do I
get rid of them!?!
Recent changes to the tank - addition of some plants ~4 wks ago. Addition
of washed Flourite ~2 wks ago. No other changes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
If they jump, they are springtails, Order Collembola, and, in my
experience, they do no harm to aquatic plants. They feed on algae at the
surface and on the sides of the tank just above the water surface.
Aphids do not jump and are very slow-moving. they can be reddish to
brownish, but they are rounder than springtails. Aphids can be a problem
for keepers of aquatic plants. They feed on any parts of aquatic plants
that contact the water surface.