[Tori Parker]

not sure if I need to include these details in this thread but I have anyway.

basically I have a 10 gallon that had a betta in who unfortunately passed, the tank has had nothing but a Pleco and live plants in for about a month.

Tonight I noticed some shrimp like looking thing in there too? I have never had shrimp and have no idea what it is or where it has come from!

just curious to see if this has happened to anyone else, if anyone knows how this could have happened, what it could be and, most importantly, if I need to remove it or not

I’ve attached a picture of my tank and the creature.

Housing:
10 gallon tank
has a filter
Has a heater
It is 26/27 or 79/81
no airstone

Food:
Algae wafers

Maintenance:
20% water change weekly
I use a vacuum for the sand
Aqua safe conditioner

Water Parameters:
I use test strips that don’t have all on
Ammonia: not on the test
Nitrite:0
Nitrate:0
pH:6.8
Hardness (GH):25
Alkalinity (KH):?
carbonate: 40

 

[Feanor]

Looks like a small Dragon Fly larvae (Zygoptera).

While it won‘t do any harm to your Pleco, it still needs to be caught and put down.

It would need an expert and a microscope to determine what exact variety it is, but most likely it‘s an Asian variety you got in via plants.
(Females lay their eggs in plants and eggs can withstand even pesticides).

 

[Tori Parker]

Looks like a small Dragon Fly larvae (Zygoptera).

While it won‘t do any harm to your Pleco, it still needs to be caught and put down.

It would need an expert and a microscope to determine what exact variety it is, but most likely it‘s an Asian variety you got in via plants.
(Females lay their eggs in plants and eggs can withstand even pesticides).

I will get it removed and keep a keen eye for any more, thank you for your help!