Are these bugs dangerous?

For the discussion of any creepy crawlies that may have taken up residence in your tank, including mites. Please note that isopods have their own forum.
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MaryJane
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Are these bugs dangerous?

Post by MaryJane » Mon Nov 16, 2020 5:11 pm

I’ve noticed very small white bugs in my hermit crabs enclosure and I’m not sure if they’re dangerous. My first guess is mites but I’m not sure. What do I do?

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Spocktopus
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Re: Are these bugs dangerous?

Post by Spocktopus » Mon Nov 16, 2020 6:17 pm

Is it possible if you can get a picture? It could be mites, but it could also be something more harmless like a springtail. I can try to give you an ID if you send a picture and your approx. location :)
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JoeHermits
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Re: Are these bugs dangerous?

Post by JoeHermits » Mon Nov 16, 2020 7:45 pm

It’s mostly likely either springtails or food mites. Both are harmless and can help control mold growth by eating waste and old food.


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crabbycasey
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Re: Are these bugs dangerous?

Post by crabbycasey » Mon Nov 16, 2020 8:26 pm

I wanna say there’s a care sheet somewhere on here that lists different bugs with pictures and info! Can’t remember exactly where I saw it though


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MaryJane
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Re: Are these bugs dangerous?

Post by MaryJane » Tue Nov 17, 2020 12:14 pm

Spocktopus wrote:
Mon Nov 16, 2020 6:17 pm
Is it possible if you can get a picture? It could be mites, but it could also be something more harmless like a springtail. I can try to give you an ID if you send a picture and your approx. location :)
I got a 5 second video but i don’t know how to insert videos or photos

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MaryJane
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Re: Are these bugs dangerous?

Post by MaryJane » Tue Nov 17, 2020 12:15 pm

JoeHermits wrote:
Mon Nov 16, 2020 7:45 pm
It’s mostly likely either springtails or food mites. Both are harmless and can help control mold growth by eating waste and old food.


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I hope it’s just that but the bugs are not on/around the food bowl they’re in the middle of the tank crawling in the substrate.

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JoeHermits
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Re: Are these bugs dangerous?

Post by JoeHermits » Tue Nov 17, 2020 2:34 pm

They may be springtails but are definitely not hermit crab mites since those will cling exclusively to the hermits.

Photo and video posting guide: viewtopic.php?t=87783


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Re: Are these bugs dangerous?

Post by MaryJane » Wed Nov 18, 2020 11:08 am

JoeHermits wrote:
Tue Nov 17, 2020 2:34 pm
They may be springtails but are definitely not hermit crab mites since those will cling exclusively to the hermits.

Photo and video posting guide: viewtopic.php?t=87783


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I’ve been looking at the post about different bugs in hermit crab enclosures and looked up photos and videos of spring tales and I don’t think that’s the bug I have. The bugs in the tank are VERY small and white. They look like little dots walking around and are very hard to see.

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Re: Are these bugs dangerous?

Post by JoeHermits » Wed Nov 18, 2020 9:18 pm

Do they look like mites?


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Re: Are these bugs dangerous?

Post by MaryJane » Thu Nov 19, 2020 8:20 am

JoeHermits wrote:
Wed Nov 18, 2020 9:18 pm
Do they look like mites?


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Yes, they look like mites, but I think they’re harmless. I will keep a close eye on my hermit crab to make sure they not on them. I’ve only seen them in the tank and not on the hermit crab.

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Re: Are these bugs dangerous?

Post by JoeHermits » Thu Nov 19, 2020 2:14 pm

Yeah, one of the downsides to a warm, humid habitat is that they can attract all sorts of small animals. Luckily, most are harmless so they’re seldom an issue.


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Re: Are these bugs dangerous?

Post by MauiMama » Thu Dec 17, 2020 10:09 pm

I just discovered bugs that aound like that in my tank too! Do they look like these guys?ImageImage

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