does anybody know of larvae being present in ciclid food from manufacturer?

Question

I have little worms in fish tank that i cannot get rid of. They eventually turn into little green flies. Does anybody know what these are?

Answer 1

These are midge larvae. They aren't from the food. The flies lay their eggs on the water surface or in your filter media. When they hatch, instant "worms". Some ways you might be able to tell:
1) When they swim, do they make something of an "S" shape with their bodies?

2) If you have a microscope (or can use someone else's), get some of the tank water and look at the "worms". If you can make out a head, then they are the larval insects. (see photo http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/im... )

3) Are there dead flies (about 1/4 inch or less on the water's surface at times (assuming your turtle doesn't eat them)?

I used to get these frequently in tanks with turtles and axolotls. They will attach to a salamander or fish and feed off the slime coat.

If these are fly larvae, using a filter will not get rid of them. Your best bets are:

1) remove as many as you can with a fine-mesh fishnet (like a brine shrimp net)

2) keep the top of the tank covered with fine netting or a glass or plastic cover

3) if you have an external (hang-on-tank) filter, clean the media often

Answer 2

I do know that you can get grain mites contaminating any kind of pet food, but couldn't tell you for sure if that's what they are.

Here's an excellent pet store in my area, the guy that owns it is the shiznit if you are into fish...maybe they have a Q&A section.

http://www.preusspets.com/

Answer 3

Donno, but I too have had those. They almost look like mosqito larvea right? Then all the sudden my fish got hole in tha head disease and died.

Answer 4

they're fruit flys