Need Some Expert Advice

[prettyfish737]

Hey All!!

I upgraded my fish into my 50 gal about 3 yrs ago and last week I noticed these little tiny almost microscopic bugs hopping around on the surface of my water They are not actually inside my tank just cruising around on top, but they hop and jump off of the top of the water!!

They look like very very tiny salmon colored sand fleas......any experience with these and if so what are they?

How do I get rid of them? They are gross

 

[ziggy2]

Can't say I've ever seen anything like that. Got any pitures?

 

[prettyfish737]

No pics as these things are so small they look almost like dust particles or tiny bubbles on the surface, but it's when I dropped food into the tank I noticed they began to jump around. I have never heard of this before either....but I thought if anyone would it would be here in the MFK community!!

 

[247Plants]

Springtails....Pretty common and not at all bad...

 

[clgkag]

where do they come from/what causes them? had them once and they just went away.

 

[prettyfish737]

Awe - Springtails!! Thanks 247Plants!!

 

[prettyfish737]

I did some quick research and springtails come from moisture. They feed on gungus and decaying plant matter and are as 247Plants said "harmless". The only recommendations I found for getting rid of them is gravel vac the top of the water or try to net them with a brine shimp net, however your fish will eat them....so I will most likely leave these little treats for my fish to have fun with!!!!