Setting up my new tank now and found this insect- what is it?

[Luxiixul]

Hi all,

I recently moved to a new city and took my axies with me. Now I am setting up a new tank for them and in the meantime they r staying in some temporary organizer boxes (not that nice looking but at least it's big for them to swim around). Anyways, I started the tank with some plants, and drift woods. Within a few days I saw some snails, which I am OK with, but today I found this insect in the tank (see pic), no idea what it is and there is a chance many more of them hiding somewhere or on their way to appear, so I just wanna find out whether it's fine to have them in tank with my axies. Any input would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Luxi

 

[Bellabelloo]

It looks like it may be a Damsel fly larva

 

[Luxiixul]

It looks like it may be a Damsel fly larva

I think u r right Julia. Eww, it must have come with the plants. Will get rid of it and hopefully I don't see more of them. Thanks a lot for ur help

 

[auntiejude]

It looks like it may be a Damsel fly larva

I think u r right Julia. Eww, it must have come with the plants. Will get rid of it and hopefully I don't see more of them. Thanks a lot for ur help

What do you mean 'Eww'? Damsel flies are gorgeous! Pity the larvae aren't so cute...
I had these in the summer, my hubby very carefully transferred them to our outside rainwater butt.
Please don't kill them, just take them to an outside water container or pond.

 

[bugdozer]

The damselfly larva may bite though, couldn't it?

 

[Otterwoman]

They will certainly eat any larvae that might hatch.

 

[auntiejude]

The damselfly larva may bite though, couldn't it?

Yes, they are carnivorous and could attack axie larvae, I was just advocating not killing it. Hence the 'take it outside' recommendation.

 

[Kaysie]

They don't pose a threat to larger axolotls, just tiny larvae.

They are excellent mosquito predators, though! Definitely use it to your advantage and let it live outside.