What’s this little critter?

[Wayne’s water world]

This just appeared in my freshwater planted tank. It may have come in with a new plant. Should I evict or adopt?

 

[Andy Sager]

It looks like a dragonfly nymph which would mean it's a big fish eater so I would evict. I always follow the rule "If you don't know what it is, evict it. " If you want to see what it turns into, put it in another tank then do the research.

 

[Autumnsky]

Agreed!!!

 

[JohnnyReb]

It is a Dragonfly nymph / larvae. I killed 30 that spread to many of my tanks. There are probably more. Suck it up with a turkey baster and look for more just before you turn your lights on. They may be the size of a small ant and white. The older they are the darker they are. They do a lot of hiding, check your tanks hourly. You may have kept some water outside and she laid a lot of eggs. You need to also look for Damselfly nymphs, they are completely different looking.

 

[Wayne’s water world]

I haven’t seen it again, and believe me, I’ve looked. I have lots of tiny shrimp and fry and don’t seem to have lost any significant numbers.

 

[JohnnyReb]

I haven’t seen it again, and believe me, I’ve looked. I have lots of tiny shrimp and fry and don’t seem to have lost any significant numbers.

You will. What ever he kills and he does kill often, and does not totally eat, the shrimp do. They are shy of light. Let it be dark for a few hours and look on the aquarium sides and any rocks or plants. He does not like to be on the floor substrate. He likes to be in an ambush position. Do you have a turkey baster? You can get them with that. A net is no good. They are quick. By this time he will be darker, a shade of brown and has molted probably. Look for molts also. He is no way large enough to leave the tank.

 

[Wayne’s water world]

Turkey baster is on the list. Just saw him and he went into hiding before I could try to net the little booger.

 

[JohnnyReb]

They are impossible to net but you can sneek up on them with the baster and get to about a half inch way and suck him up.

 

[Wayne’s water world]

Trapped him against the glass with a net and squished his evil little guts out! Will be watching for more!

 

[JohnnyReb]

Trapped him against the glass with a net and squished his evil little guts out! Will be watching for more!

That's my boy!!!!!

 

[Andy Sager]

Trapped him against the glass with a net and squished his evil little guts out! Will be watching for more!

Too late now but they make great Trout bait if you find more.

 

[Wayne’s water world]

I bet they do, but we don’t see a lot of trout in Texas!