Invasion

[shrimply]

I have a 5 gallon tall tank which is home to my shrimps (about 10 in all) But recently I have had a lot of microscopic bugs appearing several different tiny tadpole shaped things, small white worms and others. Just really want to know why is it simply because all these things would usually get eaten by fish. I do not have them in any other of my tanks and have never used live foods.

Basically are they a threat and anyway to get rid of them. I did worry it was my water quality but shrimps are very untolerant of bad water and they are all fine.

Any info?

 

[steelhealr]

Photos? SH

 

[shrimply]

Believe me I have tryed but they are two small. No more than a millimeter in length apart from the wormy things.

 

[shrimply]

OH dear I thought I would get more help. Anyone have suggestions?

 

[Ben]

i just had a mind blank of what they're called>

They turn up when the water is bad and the fish are over fed

 

[shrimply]

One problem with that. The water isn't bad and there are no fish to be over fed. I never feed the shrimps.

 

[Ben]

what are your water stats and hwo often do you do water changes?

 

[Synirr]

Infusoria
Just teeny tiny aquatic critters, perfectly harmless and nothing to worry about if your water stats are fine. Overfeeding can cause them, but if you have a lot of live plants and such sometimes they can just sorta take over a tank for no real reason.

 

[shrimply]

Thanks. The guy at my LFS basically said that the white worms are a sign of bad water quality and left over food. Although I find this hard to belive we basically decided that there must be something so I have bought some filter floss for my filter to help clean up my water and will do a 50% water change. Also considering an apple snail to keep all the dead stuff down. What do you think about this?

 

[shrimply]

Just an update. Water teats that I have showed that there was no nitrites or nitrates and the pH was it's usual neutral.

I did a complete clean out and I mean major. I used a gravel vac with filter wool at the top to clkean the gravel after I had already removed 50% water so I could put the filtered water back in. The glass is spotless as is the filter.

This completely removed white worms but I still have the pond bug things. Wondering if I should repeat the process today or stop worrying.

Is an apple snail a good idea to keep left over stuff down do you think?

 

[shrimply]

Anyone?

 

[Synirr]

As long as your water stats are fine, I just wouldn't worry about it. The apple snail is really up to you.... personally, I think trumpet snails do a better job cleaning up uneaten food and whatnot