Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have small parasites swimming in my aquarium, and also small mite like things that jump around on top of my filter. I change the water often, but what can I do to get rid of them? What are they?

Anyone have any info?

i've thought of a few things, but it could be anything. A better description would be helpfull.

The worms are small, white, and look more like microscopic leaches crawling on the glass (in water). The "mites" look like minature termites that crawl along the glass out of water.

>I have small parasites swimming in my aquarium...

Sorry, but that's not much of a description to identify anything. Are these critters "worm-like," "shrimp-like," "insect larval-like?" How small is small?
"Parasite" is unlikely, but not impossible; are they bloated with blood? A parasite would likely be feeding on blood meals if free-swimming.

!!!! Just saw your added description:
>The worms are small, white, and look more like microscopic leaches crawling on the glass (in water).

If white then unlikely to be "blood-sucking parasites!"
Aquatic oligochaete worms are inveterate feeders on algae. Check out
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=oligochaete&sa=N&tab=wi
but remember these photos are much enlarged!

These might be "springtails," harmless. See http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/clinic/Bugofwk/970003/springta.htm
for photos and notes on this insect. Found in damp areas (like your filter or very moist potted plants); a chemical "cure" would likely be ill-advised for your turtles!
If applicable, try removing the whole filter in a plastic bag to the outside and giving it a thorough blast with a water hose. Allow to dry completely, add new filter medium. Check out potted plants or other moist organic conditions for the original lair of these critters. If a particular plant is especially wet, try letting it dry out (on a porch or outside, weather permitting) to eliminate the original source of the springtails.
Good luck, but really doubt these critters are anything to worry about!

Sorry, left out your mite description from answer above.

>...and also small mite like things that jump around on top of my filter.

These might be "springtails," harmless. See http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/clinic/Bugofwk/970003/springta.htm for photos and notes on this insect. Found in damp areas (like your filter or very moist potted plants); a chemical "cure" would likely be ill-advised for your turtles!
If applicable, try removing the whole filter in a plastic bag to the outside and giving it a thorough blast with a water hose. Allow to dry completely, add new filter medium. Check out potted plants or other moist organic conditions for the original lair of these critters. If a particular plant is especially wet, try letting it dry out (on a porch or outside, weather permitting) to eliminate the original source of the springtails.

It is impossible to correctly identify your pest. I agree that they are not likely a problem. Have you seen any on your turtles? Are your turtles healthy? (also assuming that the rest of your care is proper, so don't jump to the "mites" because there is a problem.
I have had similar animals that almost always come with plants. *(My newt tank is a well planted vivarium). My sliders live in a stark rubber pond and I havn't noticed any with them yet. I prefer to leave the micro-life as it contributes to the minature ecosystem in the vivarium. In a turtle setup, that means help with the cleaning. (although of course the big difference between newts and turtles is the size of there feces. A balance is impossible with an indoor turtle pond.