What are the tiny white bugs in my frog's tank?

Question

I have a tree frog named Sparky and i use mulch in his tank. After I completely change the substrate in the tank and thoroughly clean out the tank, (despite using a different brand of mulch) in a couple of weeks I notice teeny tiny white bugs crawling around in the substrate. They don't seem to be harming Sparky but I'm not sure. What are they, where do they come from and what can I do to get rid of them?

They are not maggots I said that they crawl around the tank indicating that they have legs, maggots do not have legs

Answer 1

So the white 'bugs' are out of the water? If they were in the water or the aquarium lid came in direct contact with the surface of the aquarium water the I would say they were some kind of round or flatworms. Planaria are very common and appear as tiny white worms. (Also look like a bug at first and crawl)

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/cnidaria/hydra1.gif
http://contanatura.net/arquivo/planaria.jpg
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/WormPIX/FlatwormPIX/Waminoa_sp.KBR._jpg.jpg

Or it could be a harmless springtail
http://www.uidaho.edu/so-id/entomology/Springtail%20adult.jpg

http://shop.pollywog.co.uk/images/springtail_giant.jpg

They pose no threat to amphibians or reptiles and feed on decaying matter and fungi. They are, however, a sign that the substrate in the cage needs to be changed or has become waterlogged. Springtails usually only show up when there is an excess amount of herp feces to feed on, or old feeder insects that have not been removed from the cage. They can be beneficial when introduced into living terrariums and will help to break down waste that is produced.


It's very hard to determine what exactly your bugs may be, I'm not very sure without being able to see them. Whatever it is it is some critter that has found your aquarium water or hood to be the best place to live.

I'm sorry I can't be of anymore help but what I can say for you to do is to investigate where these bugs are coming from and if they are in the aquarium water too. The presence of planaria indicate there is too much pollution in the aquarium, they appear when nutrients from large amounts of fish food are leftover. This would require a 30-50% water change ((always make sure to make the replacement water equal in temperature to your aquarium's and make sure it is properly dechlorinated))

What I would do is to continue wiping down the hood and cover everyday if they are still crawling on it...With time they should eventually be gone.

Well, let me know if you don't have any luck getting rid of those odd critters on your aquarium...And let me know if you have anymore questions or concerns...

Answer 2

It's possible they are springtails. Most dirt and mulch has those tiny bugs in it - it is part of the eco system. Do a Google search for pictures and more info:
http://www.whatsthatbug.com/springtails.html

They do no harm... :)

Answer 3

I second the springtails response. They always find their way into humid enclosures. Extremely common to find them. Letting the substrate dry out somewhat will reduce the numbers.

Answer 4

It sounds like you have maggets in your cage and how to get ride of them is to use a differnt type of bottoming for your frog like hamster shavings

Answer 5

Might be some form of gnat, I would check with a vet tech.

Answer 6

Could be mites