Hello, everyone. This is my first post here.
I have a 135-gallon planted tank with four discus.
The tank was in "dry dock" for about a month and a half due to a relocation from CA to NC. On filling and installing the filter system, I soon noticed small, white specks about the size of a pinhead: swimming around, settling on the glass, repeat.
I had to treat for leeches prior to planting & so did several treatments with Clout. The specks appeared to be unaffected.
After planting and warming up the tank to discus temp (85F), the specks multiplied and now I'm seeing different sizes/life cycle stages.
The largest ones have convex "shells" that "crunch" when pressed with a finger. The shells don't seem to be transparent, rather an opaque white or off-white. I don't think there's a seam on the ventral side as in Daphnia. Other stuff I've noted include two small antennae anteriorly, and larger specimens' shells are spotted on the dorsal.
They spend their time darting around on the gravel & clinging to the tank sides and plants(eating algae?). At the time I thought they were harmless. However, tonight I noticed several "juveniles" on the sides and fins of three of four discus.
I've never encountered this type of pest before.
Any comments, advice, "extermination methods" for these microcrustacea (?) are welcome. I'll try and take a decent digital photo of the creatures and post it.
Thanks very much!
Cheers,
Jarrett
I have a 135-gallon planted tank with four discus.
The tank was in "dry dock" for about a month and a half due to a relocation from CA to NC. On filling and installing the filter system, I soon noticed small, white specks about the size of a pinhead: swimming around, settling on the glass, repeat.
I had to treat for leeches prior to planting & so did several treatments with Clout. The specks appeared to be unaffected.
After planting and warming up the tank to discus temp (85F), the specks multiplied and now I'm seeing different sizes/life cycle stages.
The largest ones have convex "shells" that "crunch" when pressed with a finger. The shells don't seem to be transparent, rather an opaque white or off-white. I don't think there's a seam on the ventral side as in Daphnia. Other stuff I've noted include two small antennae anteriorly, and larger specimens' shells are spotted on the dorsal.
They spend their time darting around on the gravel & clinging to the tank sides and plants(eating algae?). At the time I thought they were harmless. However, tonight I noticed several "juveniles" on the sides and fins of three of four discus.
I've never encountered this type of pest before.
Any comments, advice, "extermination methods" for these microcrustacea (?) are welcome. I'll try and take a decent digital photo of the creatures and post it.
Thanks very much!
Cheers,
Jarrett
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