Space invaders from outerspace!!!

[BushFishRox]

ok well I was doing a water change today, and when the tank was almost full again I noticed these little white things about the size of a very small pin jumping around the surface, to small to get a pic of.

any ideas what they could be? if they were a little bigger and actually moved the water when they jumped, I am sure my apollos would eat them. with the filters running the surface is being agitated and I can't see them now...

could they do any harm? I doubt it, but never seen them before.

 

[Dread]

Do they sorta look like this:

If so, it's probably Hydra. And yes, it's harmful, and a pain to get rid of.

 

[BushFishRox]

I am 90% sure that isnt what they are, it kinda looks like it they have little wings but it is hard to tell because they are so small... I am quite sure they are some sort of insect rather then a parasite...

 

[Jeox]

Springtails?

I know what you're talking about. I used to have billions in my tanks. They're harmless. :]

 

[BushFishRox]

ok thanks for letting me know Jeox

 

[deepblue101]

hydra,or planira

 

[Angler]

Yep, harmless.

 

[SimonL]

My big tanks have them too.

 

[guppy]

Small surface dwelling critters that move in little jerky motions are usually either springtails or fairy midges, both feed on organic matter trapped in the surface tension of the water and are harmless.

 

[deepblue101]

spring tails grow in ponds!