white grain like bugs in my aquarium

Question
Hi,
I have a jack dimpse about 10 inches long.  the other day I notices bugs in the bottom of the tank.  they are white a little smaller than a grain of rice and they crawl in and on the rocks. some of them float in the water.  what are they? can they hurt my fish? and how do I get rid of them?

Answer
Hi Paula

No they are not harmful to fish. What you are most likely seeing are tiny crustaceans called copepods, little shrimp like creatures? I don't think they are nematodes or planaria, because both of those are worms, and don't resemble bugs as you mentioned. Copepods are found in all types of aquariums, both saltwater and freshwater. In any event they are beneficial to your tank feeding on algae and organics in the tank. If you are concerned about them, or if you have a large population of them, you can add a Goby or a Loach to your tank. They will eat them.

If what I described above doesn't sound like what you have, let me know and if possible, provide a photo and I will research further for you.

Hope this helps, good luck!

Richard