Identifying Spider-Like Creature in Aquarium

[Christofer]

Hello! New here… first time starting a 10 gal shrimp tank (not stocked yet) and I noticed a tiny spider-like critter on one of my plants. I pulled him out and tried to take photos. I’m just very curious as to what it can be as I bleach dipped and alum soaked my plants so I have no idea how he got in there. I also took a video 

 I hope that’s allowed to link it here. Any help identifying the little guy would be much appreciated. Thank you

[Guppysnail]

Ok my eyes are not great but if it looks like this it is a dragonfly larvae

[Guppysnail]

If it is a dragonfly larvae bleach unless harsh enough to kill plants or alum do not work. They slit open a stem or thick leaf and lay inside the plant and the eggs are tough and hatch in the aquarium.  If you have dragonflies and no lid they will lay in the aquarium.  If it’s not…like I said very bad eyes..please disregard this 😁 if it is and you want details let me know they are HIGHLY predatory and shrimp being a main food they are bad news

[DSH OUTDOORS]

Looks like a springtail to me. Google aquarium springtail and you can confirm looking at it in person.

[Christofer]

Thank you guys so much! Dragonfly larvae seems like a strong suspect after seeing that picture. Springtail too in looks though he hasn’t gone to the surface.
 

I wasn’t satisfied very much with that video I made so I had my gf dig out her Marco lens and I filmed another: 

 I just fear my original video elongated his body a bit because I was photographing using a magnifying glass. I also tried including more light. Still dragonfly larvae or springtails as suspects? Sorry it’s still not super still or clear. He maybe seem a little more round to me than those others with thrip-like bodies. 
 

 

Edit: after doing more research, my best guess is Bourletiellidae which is a springtail! Anyone confirm with new video? 

Edited July 22, 2021 by Christofer
New hypothesis

[Guppysnail]

Keeps us posted as to what you determine.  I only know of them because I got hit with damselfy larvae in my shrimp tank. The info always comes side by side with dragonfly as they have almost identical behaviors both adult and larvae. So I don’t know how they behave under water.  I also know nothing about springtails so I’m interested to see if that’s what you have. 

[Christofer]

I know my theories are all over the place but now I’m thinking Rhopalosiphum nymphaeae (water lily aphid) because of the little horn like spikes on their back. 

I found several more. Most only stay in the water for a bit. I’ve removed them into a culture cup which I’m glad of now… I’m sure aphids of any kind are not great. Need to keep looking for more. Being that these kind go after water lilys maybe they came in on my new red drawf lily bulb I added a few days ago? I did a bleach dip but it wasn’t incredibly strong or long 🤔 damn

Edited July 22, 2021 by Christofer

[Biotope Biologist]

Your last guess is the correct one. Although the name is a bit of a misnomer as they are commonly found on frogbit and duckweed rafts as well. While they are not a fully aquatic insect they can and will hold an air bubble in their abdomen to dive similar to a diving bell spider. I am not sure if they dive to access the sap from the leaf stalks or what. 

[Christofer]

Thank you so much! 
 

I was looking at my tank pretty critically now for bugs and noticed some tiny swimming things in the water column. Much smaller. Seem to originate from Water Lily. (Removed it into separate container and the quickly appeared swarming in it)  so now I’m paranoid it’s these damn aphids and I’m going to be bombarded with tons of these things in time that will decimate my plants. 

 

I’m sorry for asking all these questions and posting all these vids. I’m just wondering if the obvious conclusion is that these are juvenile lily aphids or something else entirely. 
 

edit: another (hopefully better?) video 

 

Edited July 23, 2021 by Christofer
Video added

[GardenStateGoldfish]

I get a lot of dragonfly larva in my tubs and can tell you with 100% confidence that is not a dragonfly or damselfly or mayfly nymph. 

It looks like a springtail but its butt is to big and it does not behave like one, one of the aphids could be more likely, it also could be some sort of beetle or something also maybe. Sorry I couldn't help with what it is but at least I can help with what it is not. 

[Biotope Biologist]

On 7/22/2021 at 5:30 PM, Christofer said:

Thank you so much! 
 

I was looking at my tank pretty critically now for bugs and noticed some tiny swimming things in the water column. Much smaller. Seem to originate from Water Lily. (Removed it into separate container and the quickly appeared swarming in it)  so now I’m paranoid it’s these damn aphids and I’m going to be bombarded with tons of these things in time that will decimate my plants. 

 

I’m sorry for asking all these questions and posting all these vids. I’m just wondering if the obvious conclusion is that these are juvenile lily aphids or something else entirely. 

The way it moves around strikes me as being a cyclops, but anyone's guess is as good as mine. I am just going off vague white line 😋 

 

Sounds like you had some hitchhikers with your lily bulbs that's not uncommon and not necessarily bad for your shrimp tank. Make great fry food if you have other tanks you could drop them in. Aphids only really cause a lot of damage when they swarm. While they can asexually bud (females only) I don't think I would worry to terribly much about it eating all your plants.

[Christofer]

On 7/22/2021 at 7:12 PM, Biotope Biologist said:

The way it moves around strikes me as being a cyclops, but anyone's guess is as good as mine. I am just going off vague white line 😋 

 

Sounds like you had some hitchhikers with your lily bulbs that's not uncommon and not necessarily bad for your shrimp tank. Make great fry food if you have other tanks you could drop them in. Aphids only really cause a lot of damage when they swarm. While they can asexually bud (females only) I don't think I would worry to terribly much about it eating all your plants.

You guys are so extraordinary helpful! And you were right on both accounts I believe. The second creature definitely looks like a copepod.  (I added another video of that one above if wanted to see better) it has that fork tail I can see when I zoom in. Thinking maybe Harpacticoida. But I’m not bothered by them at all. Actually kind of cool. And equally cool to learn about all this. Thank you for your guidance! And relieving my anxiety… I was just paranoid it was going to be juvenile aphids because I had just discovered the lily aphids and identified them with your help, and then saw the presumed copepods right after. But I likely only noticed the copepods by looking closely for the aphids. 😆 what an adventure before even stocking it. Thanks again Biotope Biologist! GuppySnail! Everyone who read them or looked at the videos for me— I really appreciate it!! 
 

Now I just need to get myself a microscope lol

Edited July 23, 2021 by Christofer

[Christofer]

On 7/22/2021 at 6:59 PM, GardenStateGoldfish said:

I get a lot of dragonfly larva in my tubs and can tell you with 100% confidence that is not a dragonfly or damselfly or mayfly nymph. 

It looks like a springtail but its butt is to big and it does not behave like one, one of the aphids could be more likely, it also could be some sort of beetle or something also maybe. Sorry I couldn't help with what it is but at least I can help with what it is not. 

No worries, you relieve a great of stress for me confirming that for an upcoming shrimp tank. 😅 Your expertise is much appreciated 😀