What is this? Please help.

[Idunno]

Found a few of these in our Axolotl tank tonight. They have appeared out of nowhere. What are they and should I be concerned?

 

[Idunno]

After research.

I did a bit of a google search (images) and I found a description of a Damselfly Larvae (Zygoptera species) and am certain that it is a match. Would love some confirmation.

One of my Axolotl took a snap at one, chewed it for a bit and then spat it out. I assume they will continue to attempt to eat them.

 

[gemach7]

Agree, damselfly larvae. Get it out of there, they are fish eaters believe it or not. Small fish, tadpoles, they live underwater for like 2 years surviving this way. Can cause a lot of head ache in fry systems.

 

[Idunno]

Agree, damselfly larvae. Get it out of there, they are fish eaters believe it or not. Small fish, tadpoles, they live underwater for like 2 years surviving this way. Can cause a lot of head ache in fry systems.

Thanks heaps for your reply, gemach7. We just moved the live plant around a bit and there are a lot more than we thought at first. I am wondering if we should just take the whole plant out as well as the damselfly?

 

[gemach7]

From my understanding the female damselfly, lays her eggs on plants below the surface. I would remove the plant. To be safe there are bot more eggs that haven’t hatched.

I have done this for snails not sure the concentration to kill fly larvae.

But moving the plant to its own say 5 gallon bucket for 24 hours, in say .25ppm chelated copper. Empty and refill and watch the plant in its bucket for a week for any new larvae.