Help, lots of tinny bugs of somekind

[acejos]

I just noticed my tank have some kind of small bugs on the gravel...it is not causing any problem...but i still feel uneasy...
any1 know what this is? is it contagious?
have a look at pic...
btw i just joined up...

[Fruitbat]

acejos....

Welcome to Aquarium Advice!

The little 'bugs' on your gravel are likely tiny crustaceans (either Cladocerans or some other Copepod). They are not harmful to your fish but a large population of them generally indicates a build-up of uneaten food or other waste in your gravel. If you don't like having so many of them then a regimen of gravel vacuuming should knock the population back to a nearly unnoticeable level.

-Joe

[acejos]

thank you for the advice