What is this Folks ?

[area2]

Hi
I was feeding my newts some Brine -Shrimps (or sea monkeys if you read comics)
and was taking pictures when I noticed this little thing.

It is very small I have a 60 mm macro lens so with the naked eye you can only just make it out.

The newts don't seem bothered by them and are in good health. I have a heavily planted tank and its become quite a little Eco system with snails and hydra etc.

Thanks


Mike

 

[Salamanderfire]

AW: What is this Folks ?

Hi,

as it has got eight legs, it seems to be some kind of mite.
There are several thousands of species of freshwater mites so it might be difficult to identify it exactly by a photo.

Peter

 

[Adogowo]

I agree it appears to be a mite. Perhaps not an animal mite many plants are also aflicted with these tiny arachnids. Check under leaves for concentratiions of more to see if they are plant or animal blood suckers. Often if you crush the mite it will be red if it feeds on animals, also plant mites are usually in dry locations not vivaria which are humid and moist.

 

[Jennewt]

Harmless. It's a common type of Tank Critter:
Caudata Culture Articles - Aquarium Invaders: Photographs

 

[area2]

Hi

Thanks for responses. So nothing to worry about. Which is good news. Thanks for the Link Jen : )

It has 8 legs and is always in the water. I have an aquatic setup with an island but the island is very moist as the humidity is high.

I wouldn't have seen it if it wasn't for the macro lens.

I am new to keeping newts and have followed the Walstad method and read loads on this site. I am really shocked at how much life there is in my tank now its becoming quite an eco system.

Thanks


Mike