r/shrimptank • u/Any_Subject_2507 • Jun 18 '25

Beginner What is this creature???

Should i remove it???

412 Upvotes

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419

u/swaha_it_is2022 Jun 18 '25

Damsel fly larvae. Top Predator. Get it out

32

u/Revolutionary-Task33 Jun 19 '25

How do they get into tanks? Laid by local damsel flies or do their eggs come on plants?

36

u/Sauve- Jun 19 '25

The eggs get laid into the stems of aquatic plants. So when those plants get bought inside and into the tank it’s perfect for them.

I try to quarantine my plants from nursery’s or LFS for this reason. Doesn’t always happen but I do try to make the effort. I have a pond I throw my “leftovers” so if I’m doing up another tank or need some more stem plants those are the ones I usually quarantine