What IS it?!

[naddooi]

Hi.

Really need some help here!

So I started a new 5 gallon aquarium about 4-5 weeks ago, silent cycling, got some plants which are growing nicely. Today, while doing some plant trimming and replanting, i discovered a VERY strange creepy crawly (i've already gotten used to the damned tiny snails that got in with one of the plants i bought). I have NOO idea what it is or how it got into my aquarium. Any ideas???

You can see it in the attached picture, right in the middle. In this shot it was standing up against the wall of the tank. Its about a cm long, swims, sort of wiggles when it does. It has a tail, which seems to have 3 thin lines coming off it (couldnt get a focused picture of that). Would REALLY love to know what it is and what it might do to my aquarium??!?!?!?


Thanks for any help!

 

[Sarge_857]

i have no clue what it is or what it would do to your tank. it prolly came in on a plant. i'd take it out of there tho.

 

[Notophthalmus]

That is a larval damselfly (close relative of dragonflies). It mostly feeds on small invertebrates such as other insect larvae, various worms, and microcrustaceans. It can eat newborn fish or shrimp, but adults should have no problem with it. If it survives, it will eventually need a place to crawl out of the water so it can make its final molt and emerge as a flying adult.

 

[naddooi]

Oh wow, Thanks for the help! Just googled for it, and definitely looks like the culprit!

Don't think it will have anywhere to crawl out onto to become a flying adult though... Guess if it doesn't die, and I can't fish it out, I'll leave it till I get some fish and have them snack on it?

 

[ct-death]

Would be my guess too - Stonefly-type larvae

Very predatious (did I just make up a word )!

 

[naddooi]

haha, yeah, its a real word! Just the person who made it up first spelt it with a c instead of a t...

 

[ct-death]

:lol:

Yeah, I see it now...

 

[Dwarf Puffers]

Dragonfly/damselfly larvae... Take it out of there ASAP, most of the time they're present, they take down a few fish (and eat them).

 

[DAVIDFBT]

yeah, it looks like a damselfly larva. But if it is a dragonfly larva, and if you have small fish in there, say good-bye to them.

Take it out immediately

 

[oscaremmy]

If you have a stream or lake near you, why not take it there and pour it into the water alive. Damselflies are great creatures...everything has its place and its sad for this little guy that he ended up in a fishtank - not HIS choice!!!