What is this and why the heck is it in my fish tank???

[typicalalex1]

So i was cleaning out my external filter and i noticed on one of the pads this little wiggling thing. At first i thought one of the bristlenose plecs had got into the filter, but it has legs?

Anyone know what this is and why its in my tank?

Its less than inch but more than half an inch.

68773

Thanks

[Northwoods Discus]

It looks like a dragonfly larvae. I don't know how it would get in your tank. If there is a fly fisherman in the audience they may help confirm identity. Defineately some type of insect larvae.

[typicalalex1]

Is it harmful?

[laborelch]

I would release it. Dragonfly larvae get big and might munch on smaller fish :-)

[Discus Origins]

That is definitely a dragon fly larvae....I hate to ask how it got in there because that was either put into the tank as an egg on a plant/wood/rock that was collected from a river or someone has put it in the tank on purpose. At that size if it hatched from egg it has been alive and fed off whatever is in your tank for a few weeks, if it was put in your tank at that size time to find out who is playing a joke on you :)

[NewETown]

Dragonfly for sure, you could raise it up in a smaller tank if you wanted... They're pretty cool.

-Everett