I have no idea what these are!

[Shattrd3]

They aren't fish and I don't think they're baby shrimp. These little things have an exoskeleton and just chill out in my filter. I first saw them when I first bought my duckweed and i didnt think anything of it but cool, but now i'm curious. I know it's hard to see and that my filter is dirty I just would like to know what these critters are. so here are some pics.

 

[fort384]

They look like snails to me. They can hitch hike in, especially on aquatic plants, if you have any. They aren't harmful, so long as the population is kept in check.

 

[Fishguy2727]

Can't tell from the pics but sounds like freshwater amphipods.

 

[Shattrd3]

They arent snails bc i already have some in my tank.
Ya they are Amphipods! Are these little guys good for my tank?

 

[fort384]

They won't hurt anything. What fish do you have in the tank? A lot of fish will eat them.

 

[Shattrd3]

I have guppies, otocinclus and ghost shrimp

 

[Jason7894561230]

The guppies will eat them

 

[toddnbecka]

Hard to tell from the pics, try googling "scuds" and see if they match your critters.

 

[Shattrd3]

What're Scuds? It looks like a scud and an amphipod

 

[toddnbecka]

Scuds are nasty buggers in a planted tank, they'll multiply like roaches and eat anything green. Some fish will eat them, but usually don't get them all. Otherwise they're harmless scavengers that usually prefer to stay under cover.