Tiny white flies on lid need help

[Kmcgregor458]

I have a 46 gal bow front tank with a knife fish, Jack dempsy ciclad, a catfish and snails. Filtration is a fluval in tank filter and I do 40% water changes atleast every week. I've had these tiny white bugs on the lid maybe 2mm long for weeks. when I do my water changes there are white or light colored worms that I suck out in the gravel less than an inch long. I have been cleaning it every 3 days trying to get rid of the worms and the flies always come back. I've been doing research and can not figure out what it is or how to stop it can anyone help.

 

[joe jaskot]

The worms in the gravel are most likely detritus worms caused by overfeeding the tank.
The insect in the picture is a white fly. It too multiplies quickly in an overfed aquarium. Cut down on feeding and clean your filter more often.

 

[Narwhal]

I have some sort of small hexapod in my tank filters. I have heard Pearl Gourami will eat the aquatic larvae. Your Jack Dempsey will probably not allow a pearl gourami in your tank (I have never kept New World cichlids so I am not an expert on their aggression levels) I don't know if other Trichogaster will do this, but they may not be robust enough, maybe a kissing gourami, which apparently will eat bugs on the water surface and isn't as fragile looking, but that your tank may not be able to handle the extra bio load.

 

[Kmcgregor458]

Thanks for your help I had a problem with my filtration a month ago it broke and I didn't notice for a few days. Also I was over feeding a bit. As I have never had a ciclid before I got it from a friend. But I have since corrected all of those issues. So If I just keep doing water changes every 3-4 days you think it will go away?

 

[Hendre]

Probably should. Give it some time and maybe vaccuum substrate as well

 

[Frank Castle]

Thanks for your help I had a problem with my filtration a month ago it broke and I didn't notice for a few days. Also I was over feeding a bit. As I have never had a ciclid before I got it from a friend. But I have since corrected all of those issues. So If I just keep doing water changes every 3-4 days you think it will go away?

Vacuum the substrate while doing a 90% water change and then wait about 2 days and clean out your filter. Just remember to rinse the media in the tank. The rest of the filter can be taken apart and scrubbed w/ a toothbrush and pipe-cleaners in the sink.

Wait a week and do it again, that should take care of it.