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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
I found this in my tank this afternoon and starting freaking out. I have no idea where it came from or exactly what it is. It appears to be some sort of underwater insect. Maybe larval form of something (IE dragonfly) because it does have wing stalks. It appears to be alive, not dead. My shrimp population went bye bye but I thought it was due to loach for snails. WHAT IS THIS?

I have more to send if anyone needs more.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

Edit:
Trying to upload pic to server. :mad:
 

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Cuz thats how I roll... :)
gmccreedy =


Do the attachments click larger for you guys? There taken in macro so they're good pics. :)
I'm going to have nightmares!

Read through that post I linked you to...it could be from an open window or you just missed a tiny one and it grew nice and fat, munching on your shrimp.
 

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Discussion Starter · #9 ·
That is a great thread! Thanks. What type of fly is it? Any guesses? I liked the fact that the water must be fairly good. I work hard for a low level of upkeep. :icon_redf

What does it eat other than my shrimp by their disappearance! :mad:
Are the fry in danger too. I have lots of livebearers and don't mind if the fry become food...please don't flame me if you're one of the gotta save every one people, I understand your point of view...
 

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Discussion Starter · #12 ·
Ok so can I leave this thing in there...? It is a little creepy...but since all the shrimp are gone and fry drops are abundant will it come flying out of my tank one day? Should I get it out a squish it? What should I so about it if anything? It is a very pretty green with bright red eyes.
 

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Discussion Starter · #14 ·
What if it's not a native species? I have looked up a lot since last post. AND YEP the fry and everything that move's in there is food. But how big does it get? We have some very large dragonflies in Florida.:icon_eek: Will it eat large fully grown fish? Granted their only 1-3 inches long. And there are loaches and snails OH MY! Will it eat everything? I'll continue my research. Please let me know any more specifics people...thanks epic!
 

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Discussion Starter · #18 ·
More...

is it jeff goldblum?

that's really creepy i wouldn't be able to sleep knowing that thing is in the other room.

you know this wouldn't happen if you'd keep the aquarium gods happy by washing your aquarium outside glass.
I do...:eek5: I wipe the tank every week or so. Do I need to wipe it everyday?

Yeah, I really did some research last night for a bit and found out that they are really cool predators. It amazes me that something so fantastic has been able to inhabit my tank. I know that most (including me) think it's kinda creepy, but it's kind neat.:icon_cool

This explains the fry population slowing down (on the really small ones) The shrimp disappearing (I even took the panty-hose off the inlet for the baby shrimp). But my tank is so heavily planted and filtered, I have a lot of drops for him (it) to eat. What worries me is how big it'll get. I have seen some types grow quite large and handle large prey. I don't my my pretty alpha fish in danger. They're all about 3-4 inches long so I think their ok. It is creepy but what can I do besides kill it?
Can anyone tell me what species it is? If it is a protected species here in FL I would leave it and study it until it came out. I read were they could spend years in this state depending on the species.
Long read, but thanks...
I am researching it now. There is one species of bright green mantis that ARE on the endangered list! Imagine if one of those were in here?! That would be cool! Eat all the fry it wants. I have to keep giving tons away anyway. So if anyone how knows about invertebrates could let me know what species this is. If it is native (central FL region, central spine, "I-4 corridor"), I'll put it in my local pond or something. But if it's not, I'm a firm believer in not polluting the ecosystem with foreign species so it'll end up squished then, before it pupates (or whatever it does). I'll take some more pics and post them now. Watching the F1 finale! Thanks everyone.
 

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Discussion Starter · #19 ·
pics

Here are some more pics...
I tried moving the light source around a bit.

It is about .5-.75 inches or about 3 cm. The little snails are a few mm long for reference.

Thanks.

Not missing the leg either I see now. I check the pics to one another and it moved it's leg. So it's not dead for sure.:eek5:
 

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