Are Water Fleas Bad For Fish?
WouterIf you are worried about water fleas, there are a few steps you can take to eliminate them. The first step is to identify the source of the problem. If you notice that your fish tank contains a lot of these tiny creatures, you need to change the water. This action will eliminate the food source for water fleas and will also kill them. Ideally, you should change the water every two to three days. However, if the problem persists, you may need to take more drastic steps.
Spiny water fleas live in freshwater bodies and are common in vernal pools. They are microscopic and can attach themselves to fish, plants, and rocks. They feed on the plankton present in water. While the pests are not harmful to humans, they are bad for native fish. They may cause a decline in the number of native fish in some lakes.
Daphnia pulex is the most common species of water fleas. Its body structure is similar to that of a terrestrial flea, but it is capable of swimming and moving through water in a jerky motion. It lives in ponds and lakes, where the water quality is poor. They reproduce rapidly, so controlling water fleas is important to preventing your fish from getting infested.
A common cause for water flea infestations in a fish tank is lack of filtration. This may have allowed the fleas to make their way into the fish tank. If you suspect that the fleas are the culprit, you must investigate your fish tank for any problems.
