Identify This Critter! Aquatic Bug?

[Tien]

I have an 8 gallong Fluval EBI with plants and shrimp. I think one of my plants came with a straggler. I saw him a month ago and now he has doubled in size. I have no idea what he is! Is he dangerous to my shrimp? It is hard to tell by the pictures but it looks like he has small appendages growing on his back that are pre-mature wings! Is he going to fly out of my tank and terrorize my family!?!? LOL .











I am brand new to planted aquariums so this may be a common creature. Either way I have no idea what it is. I am tempted to flush it as I do not know if it will harm my shrimp, especially since it has doubled in size over a month.

 

[Pyramid_Party]

Dragonfly Larva. Get rid of it fast they are predatory.

 

[WckedMidas]

i had them to. fish ended up eating them

 

[Pyramid_Party]

Or could be a damselfly larva that looks very similar, but either way they are predatory and something you do not want in a shrimp or fry tank.

 

[RedDwarf]

Your critter looks to be a damselfly nymph. They will eat smaller insects and fish and perhaps newly molted shrimps. They are harmless to people unless they fly up your nose.

 

[chelo]

Dragonfly Larva. Get rid of it fast they are predatory.

x2

 

[Pyramid_Party]

i had them to. fish ended up eating them

Bigger fish will get them but fry and shrimp have no defense against a ruthless dragonfly/damselfly nymph.

 

[JacobWhitley]

its a dragonfly nymph

 

[djhills]

yup its a nymph do the most humane thing an use the sole of your shoe lol

 

[Tropicalfish34]

It is a mayfly nymph and can hurt your shrimp.