What The Hell Is This Creature In My Tank?

[lifeofbrian]

LMAO!!! I know I would probably do a jig if I saw that thing crawling around, in or out of my fish tank!!

Mate,i did a jig,the tango and breakdancing all at the same time after this thing jumped on me lol.

 

[loraxchick]

100% certain its a dragnonfly nymph, big one at that (close to metamorphising into adult). Each species looks a little different so its unusual appearance may be that it is just a foreign species. They do eat (very) small fish and water insects but do not bite (will not hurt YOU). Dont release it into the wild (or flush it either). And it most probably came in on some plants youve gotten. Up to you if you should leave it be or ditch it (and by ditch i mean kill and throw out in the trash).
thanks for sharing..i think they're neat
cheers

 

[This Old Spouse]

I'd be curious myself to see what it morphs into!

 

[Gilli]

100% certain its a dragnonfly nymph, big one at that (close to metamorphising into adult). Each species looks a little different so its unusual appearance may be that it is just a foreign species. They do eat (very) small fish and water insects but do not bite (will not hurt YOU). Dont release it into the wild (or flush it either). And it most probably came in on some plants youve gotten. Up to you if you should leave it be or ditch it (and by ditch i mean kill and throw out in the trash).
thanks for sharing..i think they're neat
cheers

Me too! I say also put it into a pond etc. Respect all wildlife - they are beautiful when grown.

 

[Mikaila31]

Yep the dragonfly eat mosquitoes as a larva as is a deadly mosquito hunter as an adult. put it in a jar, give it a stick to climb so it can get out of the water when it morphs. Then add a few plants. I agree don't release it unless you can verify the adult is native

Dragonflys and damsels are one of my favorite insects. Damsels are my kayaking buddies lol.

 

[Gilli]

Yep the dragonfly eat mosquitoes as a larva as is a deadly mosquito hunter as an adult. put it in a jar, give it a stick to climb so it can get out of the water when it morphs. Then add a few plants. I agree don't release it unless you can verify the adult is native

Dragonflys and damsels are one of my favorite insects. Damsels are my kayaking buddies lol.

Stunning! they really are like jewels!

I was once sitting in my garden in the summer which has a small pond when the most amazing huge dragonfly flew over. It was checking me out and kept zooming back and forth in front of me. It was so big about 7 inches long that its wings made a humming noise and it had the most amazing emerald sparkling metallic green colour body - really breathtaking! I asked an expert on the internet and from my description they said it sounded like one from South Africa which sometimes find their way over here.