hitchhiker ID?

[hootiefish]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone could help me identify a critter that just showed up in my tank. I got a new plant last week and am assuming he came in on it. It has 3 legs on each side and looks kind of like a praying mantis, with a long tail after the legs that it tries to grab and hold onto things with. I killed one but pretty sure there is another in there. Is it harmful? Thanks for any help!

 

[tel0004]

Maybe a crawdad, some pictures would help. If it is a crawdad, it would only pose a threat to the smallest of fish

 

[Max]

With no pic it's hard to say. Most likely I'd say it's either a damselfly nymph or a dragon fly nymph. The damselfly larvae are usually harmless unless you have really little fish. The dragon fly on the other hand might be more of an issue.
hth
Chris

 

[lark]

The mouth parts, the mask, of fly nymphs ( Damselfly, Dragonfly) look a bit like a praying mantis. If you have any small fish it may be a danger to them. Is it kind of slow moving? Dragonfly nymphs usually crawl slowly along the substrate. Damselflies are more active. They climb among plants to attack prey.

 

[Nuriel]

I used to be grossed out by the nymphs down at the lakes we went to, I would be bummed to see one appear in my tank. Put a loach in with em' -heh-
that would teach the little critter!! :laugh:

 

[jamzwayne]

damselfly nymph:

dragonfly nymph:

Which one you got?

 

[Dangerdoll]

ewwwwwwwwwwww!!!

 

[hootiefish]

Ick! Yep, I would say I have a damselfly nymph. Thanks for the pictures! And for the advice too! I have a cory, maybe he'll eat it when he finds it. I also have some neon tetras in this tank, I hope the one that is still in there won't hurt them. At least we know one of the nymphs is in the big toilet in the sky....