Tiny white surface leapers - what are they?

[bazouteast]

I have a mature tank, which I keep for the occasional breeding pairs. Recently I have noticed tiny white dots only on the surface. They are very small, perhaps 0.25-0.5mm, and they jump about 1cm over the water surface. In all my years keeping freshwater tropicals, I have never seen this before. Does anyone know what these might be, if they are harmful to the fish, and what causes them?
Thanks in anticipation.
Baz

[Levi R.]

Originally Posted by bazouteast

I have a mature tank, which I keep for the occasional breeding pairs. Recently I have noticed tiny white dots only on the surface. They are very small, perhaps 0.25-0.5mm, and they jump about 1cm over the water surface. In all my years keeping freshwater tropicals, I have never seen this before. Does anyone know what these might be, if they are harmful to the fish, and what causes them?
Thanks in anticipation.
Baz

I don't have an exact answer, but I have them in one of my breeding tanks as well, they like my floaters. They haven't harmed any of my plants or animals, so i think they're probably lice or some sort of water beetle.

[Colin_T]

Hi and welcome to the forum

Without a picture it's hard to say but you do get small aphids that live on surface/ floating plants in aquariums and these are small, light grey and hop about. They don't cause any problems and most fish eat them if they see them.

[bigchris87]

Free fry food happy days

[bazouteast]