Help in IDing this creature

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

Savethemall

Candiru
MFK Member
Oct 13, 2017
422
59
46
46
Screenshot_20240126-011910_Video Player.jpgHi I found this creature in the pangasuis pond. I saw 3 of the semi floating in the water, didnt see any on the fish.
Do you know what this is?
 
Definitely a larvae, the face seems like a dragonfly, but seeing how it looks underwater would help.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SilverArowanaBoi
I'll try to take another pic. A larvae of an insect tou mean? Not some kind of fish parasite?
 
I'll try to take another pic. A larvae of an insect tou mean? Not some kind of fish parasite?
Exactly - a large number of insect species have larvae and nymphs (damsel/dragonflies being nymphs) that grow and develop in water.
These guys don’t parasitize off of fish but will eat anything small enough to be a meal. I had a damselfly do some substantial damage to an amphipod population.
They are pretty cool though - they have extendable mouthparts that work like the xenomorph in Alien.
 
Kidding aside, I think that's merely an empty cast-off skin, rather than an actual critter. Did you ever see it alive and moving? And look at the tiny size of it; could be anything, even a simple mosquito or other small fly. Hard to say if that's the full size of the thing upon transformation to the adult...or simply the very first of many molts as it grew into a much-larger adult.
 
MonsterFishKeepers.com