Do you notice the presence of water fleas in your tank? Are you wondering if the presence of these small crustaceans spell danger? Are they getting too much, and do you want to get rid of them? This article helps you understand the impact of water fleas in your aquarium and how to deal with them. Read on to find out.
Water fleas do not pose any actual danger in your aquarium. They move from place to place within the tank to collect food, fight predators, and ensure ecological balance. The only challenge is the high reproduction rate that might cause them to overcrowd the tank.
Watters fleas are invasive, and when they get too much in an aquarium, they can ruin the entire tank quality. So, they are a potential threat to your fish and aquarium plants.
How Do You Kill Water Fleas in An Aquarium?
Although water fleas do not pose any actual danger in the fish tank, there are several reasons you might need to kill them off. However, it is best to carry it out with due diligence without harming your aquarium. Below are some of the safest and most effective ways of killing water fleas in the aquarium:
1. Carry Out Significant Water Change
Water quality is one of the most significant factors contributing to the prevalence of water fleas in an aquarium. So, changing water is one of the primary ways to get rid of them.
You can aim for about 50% water change and higher. This method usually resets the tank, and you won’t have to worry about water fleas for weeks. It will give your aquarium a brand-new start that might not be suitable for fleas.
Ensure that you carry out the water change properly. Also, use high-quality water to avoid detrimental effects on your fish.
2. Get Rid of Water Fleas with Biological Fish Tank Cleaner
Using natural water cleaners is one of the best solutions to water flea problems in the aquarium. You might have to invest in a high-quality water cleaner, but it will be worth it.
The biological cleaner will improve the overall condition of the fish tank. Besides, it ensures quick and effective removal of the water fleas.
Biological cleaners will help you get rid of this problem without thinking much about it because it is safe to use. Also, this method is perfect for all tank sizes and fish types.
3. Drain Your Filtration System
Take your time to look at the filters when water fleas become a problem in your fish tank. Many times, water fleas are trapped in an aquarium’s filtration system. Hence, it causes them to spread faster.
So, it is best to empty the filtration system while dealing with water fleas in the tank. Besides, a good filtration system will improve the overall water quality.
4. Introduce Blanched Zucchini
Using blanched zucchini is one of the oldest ways of getting rid of water fleas. Interestingly, this method still works today.
All you need to do is add a blanched zucchini slice and let it sit on the water. This slice will attract water fleas and get them stuck.
This simple trick will make it easy for you to scoop the fleas off your aquarium. It is a good way to start when dealing with water fleas in the tank.
Are Water Fleas Dangerous?
Water fleas in the fish tank are not dangerous at the beginning. Aside from the fact that they serve as a food source to fish, they also help maintain normal ecological balance. However, the danger rises with the increasing water flea population in the tank.
Water fleas can ruin your tank and water quality when it gets too much. They reproduce very fast; hence, their population can go out of hand without quick measures.
Aside from ruining water quality, they will also compete with your fish for resources. Water fleas can frustrate small fish, especially when they are new to food hunting.
They can get trapped in the filtration system hindering proper regulations. In some cases, they attack the plants and potentially harm them.
Can Water Fleas Live Out of Water?
Water fleas are aquatic organisms like fish. They only thrive and get an enabling environment from water.
Water fleas cannot live out of the water! The configuration of their physiology is to adapt to the aquatic system. So, water fleas will die after a couple of hours outside water.
However, water fleas’ eggs can survive over a long period outside water. They get transported to the shores and outside water by various means, including substrates and human means.
These eggs are resistant to drying and freezing. This feature often helps them to survive through winter in the wild. It is also one of the major factors that contribute to their high reproduction rate.
Does Fish Eat Water Fleas?
Many aquarists leave water fleas in the tank hoping that the fish will munch them. Well, they are mostly right!
Most fish, particularly goldfish and guppies, will eat water fleas. These organisms are slow enough to catch. They are also yummy and tastes good, which makes them suitable fish food.
Water fleas are also a rich protein source for fish. They also include a significant amount of vitamins and minerals.
So, eating water fleas can complement your fish diet. It is one of the major reasons aquarium fish grow fatter and plump up after eating lots of water fleas.
However, trusting fish as a method of getting rid of water fleas might not work well. Your fish might grow tired of eating them. Besides, they can outnumber what the fish can eat.
Conclusion
Water fleas can get into the tank through various means. They might not cause instant harm, but they are potentially dangerous due to their invasive nature. Water fleas reproduce rapidly and become dangerous as their population increases.
So, it is best to get rid of water fleas from your aquarium early enough. The methods above will help you to achieve this without causing any harm to your tank.
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