bugs in my aquarium

[K. Elliot]

Hey guys-

I have a ten gallon aquarium with five cardinal tetras, java moss,
drift wood and lacey java fern.

I have noticed that I also have a fair number of "bugs" that reside in
the substrate of my tank and hang out on the driftwood & aquarium
glass when the spot algae creeps up the glass. These bugs are very
tiny and look like grains of salt.

Any idea (from the limited description i am able to give) what these
things are and why I have them?

I also have a 55 gallon aquarium with no sign of these things at all
(perhaps they are in there and just hiding?).

specs on the 10 gallon tank:
ph : 7.0
ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate :10

Any info you can afford is greatly appreciated :)

[Charles]

On 8 Nov 2004 12:44:13 -0800, (K. Elliot)
wrote:

>Hey guys-
>
>I have a ten gallon aquarium with five cardinal tetras, java moss,
>drift wood and lacey java fern.
>
>I have noticed that I also have a fair number of "bugs" that reside in
>the substrate of my tank and hang out on the driftwood & aquarium
>glass when the spot algae creeps up the glass. These bugs are very
>tiny and look like grains of salt.
>
>Any idea (from the limited description i am able to give) what these
>things are and why I have them?
>
>I also have a 55 gallon aquarium with no sign of these things at all
>(perhaps they are in there and just hiding?).
>
>specs on the 10 gallon tank:
>ph : 7.0
>ammonia: 0
>Nitrite: 0
>Nitrate :10
>
>Any info you can afford is greatly appreciated :)


My bet is ostracods, also known as seed shrimp, from your description.

Harmless.

There is quite a it of material about them on the web, not too much
involving fresh water aquariums, tho.


--

- Charles
-
-does not play well with others