White Specks in an empty Tank?

Question

So my gourmai died. Due to the fact I have no clue what it died of I did a 100% water change cleaned the gravel everything!
Now there are little white specks the size of ick with tails swimming all throughout the tank.
What is this how do I get rid of it ?
HELPPP!!!!

Could my beta fish eat them or would they harm it?

Answer 1

Sounds as though you managed to get some type of microrganism in your tank. My guess would be cyclops (quick jerky movements - see drawing: http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/index.html?http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/ponddip/cyclops.html), daphnia: http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/index.html?http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/ponddip/cyclops.html or rotifers: http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/index.html?http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/ponddip/cyclops.html (front bristles whirl around like two helicopter blades). If you add fish, they would probably eat these. The only type that might be harmful are the small crustaceans that develop into anchorworms, which are fish parasites: (on fish): http://www.kattsundco.com/aquaristik/krankheiten/bilder/lernaea_gross.jpg ,http://www.tossehuset.dk/images/koi/sygdom_parasit/lernea.jpg (detached): http://www.marquette.edu/~buxtoni/puregold/disease/lernaea.jpg - the bottom is what "anchors" into the fish, the two structures at the top are egg cases. These are usually found in untreated water (ponds) or slow moving streams. Have you collected anything yourself that you put into the tank, or were your fish in an outdoor pond (even a plastic garden pond) for any length of time? These may be how it got into your tank.

I you want to get rid of them to be safe, you could do another 100% water change and use hot water (from the tap, not boiling) to clean the tank, gravel, filter, etc. You can also use copper based ich medications or parasite medications.

ADDITION: Your betta would probably eat them.

Answer 2

Sounds like tank lice. There are tablets that you can buy in the petstore and just drop them in the tank to kill them. I had the same problem. After I used the tablets, a few days later they were all gone and I haven't had them since. Good luck!! :0)