Are Water Fleas Bad For My Aquarium?
WouterWater fleas are not harmful to fish, as long as you keep their numbers under control. In fact, water fleas can be beneficial to your aquarium’s ecosystem because they serve as natural filters. They help your aquarium to stay clean by removing fungus, algae and bacteria from the water. Furthermore, their larvae help keep your aquarium clean by eating fish remains and shedding skins.
Water fleas spend most of their time crawling along the bottom of the pond, searching for food particles. These creatures tend to be smaller than other types of fish. In addition to feeding on fish, they also serve as prey for other creatures. The most common prey for water fleas are aquatic insects, salamanders, newts, and other small fish.
Water flea larvae are a good source of protein for fish and contain substantial amounts of vitamins and minerals. However, water fleas can cause problems for your aquarium if their population grows too large. The best way to combat water fleas is to perform regular water changes and keep the water clean. These simple solutions won’t take much time and money, and will help your aquarium remain free of unwanted visitors.
Water fleas can infest any water vessel, whether an aquarium, tub, or bucket. However, they can be easier to remove in a container without aquatic plants. Since water fleas prefer water that doesn’t have plants, they are more likely to stay in water that is completely void of plants.
