can anyone identify this little guy?

It's not a dragonfly nymph - it's a damselfly. Dragonfly nymphs have really small tail extensions.

Not really a danger to any but the smallest fish.

These things are a bit under pressure in most western countries, so don't kill it - put it somewhere in a clean natural pond. I'm willing to bet a pound to a penny it's a local species - most likely come in with live food or possibly by the adult flying into the room and laying eggs in the aquarium.
 
Last edited:
we have damselflies everywhere here in Oklahoma. they are a natural insect around here. I too am positive it is a damselfly nymph and definitely not a dragonfly nymph, they are far from close in appearance. KYle
 
yup, looking on google, it's clearly a damselfly nymph..... ewwwww, both are creepy looking though I think the drangonfly nymph is a lot more intimidating looking though......
 
Every so often I hear about people finding these...and it still grosses me OUT.

Bluck.
 
I found a couple of these little guys in my tank the other day. Just now I walked over to check on my fishy friends and saw one of these nymphs sitting triumphantly on top of a spirulina tab chomping away. It was almost comedic. Then, a one inch ghost shrimp noticed it also, and decided he wanted to see what it tasted like. Long story short, the nymph let that shrimp know something real quick by swatting it with it's tail after a short fist fight and the shrimp quickly decided it was in his best interest to go scavange for hidden fish flakes again. This tank only has one fish that might eat it, which is a least killifish, but even her mouth is so small I think she'd choke on it. I guess I'll just watch it turn into a fly, as the substrate is black and the nymphs are fairly easy to spot walking around the bottom.
 
its a shame you killed it, they eat alot of mosquitos, you should have just put it in the pond or creek, i mean whats the worst that could of happened, introduce an animal that will eat the entire mosquito population in your area?
 
It's a damsel fly, and basically harmless. I get them with Pet-smart plants all the time. Most the time they just get ate by my frog. I like to catch the dragonflies i feed the bloodworms and they leave my fish alone. They may eat a snail or two, but there cool to watch.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom