Larval Insect Found in Aquarium

[shaun]

While attempting to treat a sick ranchu, I discovered a larval insect that I am 90% sure is a damselfly nymph. It was in my fish tank, and I have no idea how it got there, as it has been below freezing for months, and there are no adults around. I imagine it was an added bonus to my last purchase of java moss, but I'm not too sure. Anyway, is there any possibility that it could contribute to fish stress or find its way to my newt larvae tubs? Should I be on the lookout for more of them in the fish tank, or will they be confined until metamorphosis? If there is any risk of them spreading (assuming I have more) I want to hunt them all down because I don't want anything like this happening:
http://nrs.ucdavis.edu/quail/Images/resear2.jpg

 

[janice]

Shaun,

I have had this happen before, too. It came in on a leaf of a plant I bought, but it was a broad-leafed plant (it was a long time ago, so I can't remember what species). I figured it out because the leaf was curled up and was obviously where the critter was hiding. Probably yours came in as an egg. I would put it outside; it probably wouldn't have hatched yet if it were outside, but in your house it thought it was spring. I'd worry about more!