Little white 'bugs' crawling on wood in aquarium and seem to be free swimming also...

Hi,

I have just noticed some strange looking white 'bugs' crawling all over my piece of wood in my puffer tank, they are definately moving and seem to be swimming and then attaching themselves again, does anyone know what it is or at least have an idea?

Thanks in advance, would really appreciate any help someone can offer

Candice

 

Hi Candice....

Most probably some type of copepod,but cant say for sure.... Says your video is private...

 

oops will fix it now....thanks!

 

ok fixed it, please try again - been reading on the net, and it may be nematodes, as I did have planeria from over feeding... could this be the eggs from the planeria?

 

Nope - not planaria... Looks like some kind of copepod... maybe @Mzungu can shed a light on our mystery crustacean...

 

hmmm... do you think it can harm the puffers? I recently got them, and have made it a figure 8 puffer tank only since they prefer the brackish water, I have been feeding them bloodworm, but a different type to what I usually buy... will the puffers eat them? I am watching some videos on youtube and I must say, looks just like copepods, but how did they get there and how do I get rid of them? thanks again! much appreciated! been having some weird things happening in my tanks lately and I am keeping to the same maintenance routine I have had for a long time, so its very strange to me... I understand the other issues I had was solely due to over feeding, I have dropped to feeding once a day and skipping a day once or twice per week... C

 

Never had this apear in any of the hundreds of tanks ive run,so this advice is all theoretical... A copper treatment (something with malachite green - but not the one with formalin.....formalin reacts with salt in your water....nasty!) should get rid of them as they are crustaceans...As for where they came from....lol - who knows? Plants...food? Would be hard to trace... I dont think you need to worry too much about them though - generally theuy are harmless

 

ok thanks, so if they are crustaceans then shouldnt the puffers eat them lol? they dont seem to be eating them though... that would sure help if they did! I think I am just going to get a new tank, have to do it anyway as they need at least 50lts per fish once they have grown, and I have 4 puffers... there are some nice tanks for sale on gumtree and Juls said she may have one to sell too, so this may be the answer, just start again