[rozdaboff]

I noticed a number of grey aphid-like bugs on my Salvinia floaters (S. oblongifolia and S. oblongifolia). The tank is cycling now - but once I have fish in it, I am sure they will be an extra little food source when I knock them off into the water - but should I worry about the health of the plants in the interim?

 

[Elppan]

Do they hop around?

 

[rozdaboff]

No. Very slow moving (if moving at all). I didn't throw one under a microscope - but they look very much like pea aphids - just not bright green. Not like a springtail.

 

[Elppan]

Ah okay. I have springtails on my tank they creep me out lol. Too much like fleas. I've never seen aphids in a tank before, hope you find out what they are... I'd just attempt to drown them and let my fish eat them Mwhahaha

 

[rozdaboff]

Yeah - I have a lot of experience culturing many types of springtails as frog food and vivaria maintenance crews. And I have also worked with aphids before - and these very closely resemble them. They don't move around much, so I also don't think they are mites.

 

[greenman857]

Aphids can be a bear to get rid of. I believe they can even reproduce parthenogenetically. If you don't have any organisms in your tank you can use Safer soap which is pretty mild.
I guess the other option is to remove all the Salvinia and put it in another tank to deal with.

 

[zankotsu]

I have some small flying insects that I believe started on my salvinia floaters, too. Fruit fly traps have not worked. what are these?


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[greenman857]

Need more details,are they strong flyers?, what color are they? etc?
Aphids can have wings but don't really fly well. They could be fungus gnats in which the larvae live in moist soil of potted plants...

 

[zankotsu]

Need more details,are they strong flyers?, what color are they? etc?
Aphids can have wings but don't really fly well. They could be fungus gnats in which the larvae live in moist soil of potted plants...

They're small and black and lazy fliers and you'd mistake them for fruit flies, but those are brown/reddish. I bet they're coming from my umbrella plant. What are ideas on how to contain them?