Aphids???

[smm333]

I was trying to get a good photo of my baby snails. I zoomed in and saw that a black speck on my duckweed appears to be a tiny little aphid. I looked and found several of them. I have dealt with aphids gardening outside, but what the heck?! Is this normal? Dangerous? Should rinsing the duckweed eliminate the problem? This tank has endlers, pygmy corydoras, an amano shrimp, a mystery snail and her babies (in a net breeder).

Edited September 11, 2022 by smm333
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[OutBout]

Does it jump? Could be a springtail. These are mostly harmless detritivores (eat decaying matter) that love dampness.

[smm333]

On 9/11/2022 at 3:12 PM, OutBout said:

Does it jump? Could be a springtail. These are mostly harmless detritivores (eat decaying matter) that love dampness.

Hmm. Not sure. They are SOOOO tiny. Looks like a black speck until I blow it up on my phone. I'll google springtails.

[OutBout]

On 9/11/2022 at 5:09 PM, smm333 said:

Hmm. Not sure. They are SOOOO tiny. Looks like a black speck until I blow it up on my phone. I'll google springtails.

Move your finger or something next to one and see if it jumps. If you see it jump, it's most likely a springtail.

[smm333]

Definately an aphid. ☹ I didn't realize they were a problem in an aquarium,  but apparently (according to google searches) they can get into your houseplants and onto floating plants. I rinsed all of them off, and I will just check them frequently to make sure they don't come back!