Mites in the substrate??

[rubarb]

Anybody have any problems what appears to mite looking creatures crawling through the substrate? Unfortunately I do not have a pic, tried to take a video before but it's just too blurry :S Any ideas/suggestions as to what they could be, dangers and if necessary, iradicate them? Cheers again,

Matt

 

[viejo]

Probably amphipods (crustaceans) & should be harmless & a nice source of live food. A picture, drawing or description would be nice to see. Do they seem to scurry around or just crawl? If they crawl slowly, it could be something else but still should be harmless enough.

 

[rubarb]

Probably amphipods (crustaceans) & should be harmless & a nice source of live food.

Thanks Viejo! Hit the nail on the head, Typed amphipod into google toolbar and BANG! that is exactly what it is that I have. Any idea of how they could have come about? I'm pretty sure my dwarf cichlids will eat them, if not, something will. Thanks for the answer!

Cheers,

Matt

 

[viejo]

If you have live plants they probably 'hitch-hiked' in on those. If your real lucky, the fish won't eat the adults (they are good little scavengers) & their offspring will provide a constant source of supplementary live food.