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So I'm wondering how many people here have ever actually taken a very good close look at the surface of your water in your aquariums? I ask this because of something I've been aware of for years in my tanks, but see very little info on...
I first noticed probably 5 years ago, that if I take a very careful look at the water surface in my tanks, there's life there. This life appears to be very tiny mites hopping along the surface and resting on any debris that might be floating. They are the size of a pin-head and light in colour and hop up to 2-3" quickly. I have found limited information about these over the years, other than the fact that they're harmless and apparently hatchet fish snack on them.
From what I've seen, they'll feed and live off of any decaying matter (plants, food, etc...) available at the surface or on the edges of your aquarium. I suspect they may also feed off any 'oils' you may see floating on the surface from some foods. If they don't feed off the oils, they at least rest on them same as they would a floating leaf. Surface agitation supposedly makes life very difficult for them, but I think it just gets them in better cardio shape as they jump more
. A brine-shrimp net would be tedious as these things are so small and quick it would only serve as a method of controlling the population to net them as you'd never net them all. I may try a surface skimmer in one of my tanks with a canister filter next.
I've witnessed these little hoppers on the surface of the water in all my tanks, as well as friends tanks when I've looked very carefully. It may mean focusing your eyes at one particular spot on the surface and then watching for movement around that spot in your peripheral vision, but I'd guess many of us have these but they go unnoticed because of their tiny size. I'll try to get some macro shots with my good camera. So, do you have free-loading guests in your tank?
I first noticed probably 5 years ago, that if I take a very careful look at the water surface in my tanks, there's life there. This life appears to be very tiny mites hopping along the surface and resting on any debris that might be floating. They are the size of a pin-head and light in colour and hop up to 2-3" quickly. I have found limited information about these over the years, other than the fact that they're harmless and apparently hatchet fish snack on them.
From what I've seen, they'll feed and live off of any decaying matter (plants, food, etc...) available at the surface or on the edges of your aquarium. I suspect they may also feed off any 'oils' you may see floating on the surface from some foods. If they don't feed off the oils, they at least rest on them same as they would a floating leaf. Surface agitation supposedly makes life very difficult for them, but I think it just gets them in better cardio shape as they jump more
I've witnessed these little hoppers on the surface of the water in all my tanks, as well as friends tanks when I've looked very carefully. It may mean focusing your eyes at one particular spot on the surface and then watching for movement around that spot in your peripheral vision, but I'd guess many of us have these but they go unnoticed because of their tiny size. I'll try to get some macro shots with my good camera. So, do you have free-loading guests in your tank?