funny bugs in our tank

Question
QUESTION: Hi, recently we found funny little critters in our tank. About 1cm long, they are little antennaed opaque critters, in a tube that they have built out of woody bits and paint bits off an ornament! One was crawling along the gravel, the other 2 were attached to the resident piece of wood. Sorry, too little to get a clear photo. We live in Australia, any idea what they might be?

ANSWER: Hi Carolyn,

That's rather puzzling! They sound like freshwater aquarium shrimp, but there's no reason that they'd be there unless you bought them!

The most common aquarium critters that randomly find themselves into the tank are Planaria, and mosquito larvae, and both do not seem like what you are describing. As long as they are not harming the fish (unlikely), you do not have to worry about them. Perhaps they are small fish fry, or maybe a snail or two that came with a plant? If you could describe the mysterious creatures in detail or post a picture in a follow-up question, I'd be able to give you a more accurate answer.

For the meantime, you can remove the creatures as necessary. Remember to do those weekly water changes! Water changes promote clean water and prevent any bugs from hopping into your tank...

I hope this helps - feel free to ask any more questions you may have.

Good Luck, and Happy Fishkeeping!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Nathan, but they don't look like shrimps, more like an anaemic ant! They are too small to get a clear photo of, but I will see if they turn into anything. The whole animal/tube thing is no longer than 1 cm, and only 1 or 2 mm thick. Cheers.

Answer
Hi Carolyn,

They could possibly be Planaria. These are light-dark brownish slug-like creatures that can be found in aquaria. Whatever it is, the things living in the aquarium are NOT harmful, just potentially unsightly. You can just remove them by hand (or net).

Good Luck, and Happy Fishkeeping!