Bugs!

[JATIN]

Hello All,

I have a healthy lotus pond in my terrace which is about 6 months old and produces really healthy and frequent bloom. I observed that there are some tiny bugs above the submerged substrate (mostly top-soil) which are really active all the time.

I am wondering if these bugs can help in my planted tank eco-system in any way? Should I consider putting a few in my planted tank? My planted tank is 40 gallon with top-soil + organic compost as substrate, topped with gravel.

Thanks,
Jatin

 

[Biollante]

I Love Bugs!

Hi Jatin,



Can you tell us a little more about the bugs?


Pictures would be nice.



Biollante

 

[JATIN]

Hi Biollante,

The bugs are really tiny black dots scooting around all the time. I tried to click some pictures but they came out bad.
I think I'll drop the idea of porting them to my tank. (When in doubt, don't!)

Regards,
Jatin

 

[Biollante]

Seed Shrimp?

Hi,

Based solely on your description,[SUP]1[/SUP] the “really tiny black dots scooting around all the time” makes me think (always painful) that they are some sort of Ostracod known as seed shrimp. Yours are probably some sort of Cypris.


Ostracoda are scavengers, quite harmless, even helpful.


Biollante
[SUP]1[/SUP]Trying hard not to be an old gasbag.

 

[Crazymidwesterner]

The description of "scooting" made me think the same thing. I have some in my tank and they are neat. The fish supposedly will eat them which is a good source of live food however I haven't witnessed this.

Mine are more greyish though not black and they zip around along the substrate or when they do go into the water column zip around in erratic patterns like they can't control themselves. It sounds above as if there are different types though.

 

[Biollante]

High Fiber Treat, If They Can be Caught

Hi,


Ostracoda come in all sorts of colors, though often their apparent “color” has more to do with lighting and background.



Biollante