Green parasites?!?!?!

[xdartfrogx]

Hi

I need some help. I have had my newt for 3 years, firebelly male. His house gets water changes weekly and a complete rinse out every 2 weeks. When doing the wash out yesterday, I noticed small green bugs swimming about the water.... They are the size of a grain of sand. So I used hottest of hot water to rinse out his home while he patiently awaited in a holding cup. Scrubbed his decors, rocks, glass, and removed them all from his home. My issue is that 1: What are they? and 2: I see that some have attached to him!!!!! 3: How do I eradicate them from him and prevent this from happening again?

Also, today he has suddenly floating about the tank, doesn't look bloated, but he never hangs out that high up in the water. How can I help him with his parasite issue/sudden floating issue? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks In Advance!

 

[Azhael]

What shape are they and how do they swim?
Are they completely attached or just wandering over the newt?
They are unlikely to be parasites, but if you could post a picture it would be great.

On a side note, you really shouldn´t tear down the tank, it´s a mistake many people do until they know better. Every time you do, you eliminate the bacterial film that covers everything and is in charge of maintaining your water quality. Those bacteria are essential!
You can read about the bacteria and the cycling process of the CC articles (link in my signature).
It´s very likely that the newt is floating as a result of bad water quality which was brought up by re-starting the tank, in which case, controling water quality will end the problem.
Do 20% partial water changes with dechlorinated water every 1-2 days until the tank is fully cycled. That should keep the toxic compounds under control. Good water quality is essential for the well being of your newt, you´ll se that if you provide it with a well stablished, cycled tank, the newt will thrive.

Good luck!

 

[Crysta]

please follow all of Azhael's advice

Also it sounds like it COULD be hydra, a quick google search by you might confirm that.

If they are hydra, it won't be a problem, just do partial water changes until they're gone. just to echo this, you really shouldn't tear down your tank, your cycle has to start from scratch again, which is dangerous and in some cases potentially lethal to your newt, so keep an eye on that.

if it's not hydra, and you can't get a picture, could you try to describe how they look? how they move/if they move at all.
his floating about could be bad water quality [as azhael has pointed out] this is the most likely reason. your newt will most likely want to stay on his land space until the water quality is good enough to swim in again (I usually notice that if my newts are on land, it's because of a water quality problem I must fix)

 

[Joost]

Couldn't it just be green waterfleas? There are many species, including green ones.
A worse scenario if they tend to be some green predator copeopods. There are so many little critters, but I think they could be the first one: totaly harmless.

Is there a change you could make a picture of them?

 

[Yahilles]

please follow all of Azhael's advice

Also it sounds like it COULD be hydra, a quick google search by you might confirm that.

I wouldn't say Hydra are swimming in tank, and i don't know who would compare them to sand groins :wacko:

My idea is that they might be ostracods. And i will add that it's not very wise to panic everytime you see a new life form in your aquarium... one simply can't keep just newts in tank and it is obvious that with time some new critters will live here, which don't mean they do any harm - they're sign of healthy environment forming in your tank!

 

[xdartfrogx]

Thank You all! Turns out the newt is not bloated after all, he was swimming around and I greatly believe he was trying to stalk the prey in my frog tank next to his home So he is eating, acting totally healthy with his normal routines.

I used cycle drops to help his water change out, and he is acting just fine. I am not sure what these water critters are though. Too small to focus on their details, they were swimming around, until I dumped them out. The only ones left are attached to him, on his sides only, and that in my eyes just doesn't cash in as ok.... Could they be beneficial in any way? I will take pics and post as soon as my camera in charged up. When I take his pic, should I remove him from the water for better focus of the bug details, or leave him in his tank?

 

[Jennewt]

Take the photos in whatever way will get a clear photo of the "bugs". You'll need a camera with a decent macro function.

 

[Crysta]

most critters are beneficial, but then there's some species which are 'get rid of these fast'

Yahilles,
I've had hydra in my shrimp tank and my pond before.. I don't think we're talking about the same thing.