Tiny bug like things in my tank with my Oscar.

Question
I came home today and I noticed these tiny (the size if a pen dot) whites bugs crawling all over the side of my fish tank. There are thousands of them. They dont seem to be bugging my oscar, no loss of appitite, and I dont notice any body damage. But I'm not home all day to see if he acts different. I have no idea what they are or how to get rid of them. Please help me find out what they are and how to get rid of them!!

Answer
Hi Jessica;

Don't worry. They're just some little water critters that are feeding on the tremendous amount of waste that big fish such as oscars make. You might want to vaccum the gravel more often. Do at least a weekly 25% water change with a gravel vacuuming to help keep things more clean. Once the waste load is down, the bugs should go away slowly. Cut back on food a bit if they don't. Bugs like those guys are opportunists so they are just doing what comes naturally. The "food" is there, so....they party on it!

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins