Some kind of mite in my axolotl's aquarium?

[fwammernapz]

I was doing a water change today and I was using a Y siphon like I normally do to suck up all the poop and random detritus on the tank floor. When I went to empty the bucket I noticed a bunch of black dots that remained stuck to the bottom of the bucket which I have never seen before. I used my finger to wipe some of them up and looked under a little pocket microscope I own and to my surprise they are some kind of mites. Does anyone know anything about these? My axolotl hasn't had any behavior changes and she looks completely healthy.

 

[wolfen]

it does look like a mite, you would have to scour the internet to find out the species though and whether it prays on aquatic organisms such worms etc.. or whether they are a hazard to your axolotl, not uncommon for them to hitch a ride on plants.
the normal treatment for mites is ivermectin would would have to come from a vet.

 

[fwammernapz]

I'm hoping they are orbatid mites which feed on detritus and algae. I thoroughly examined my axolotl and only saw one on it, which I think they just happened to hitch a ride considering the abundance of them in the tank. I'm going to keep a close eye on my axolotl for behavior changes and physical changes.