Unidentified Swimming Insect

[Spark123]

I found this insecty looking thing hiding in one of the plants in my small (quarantine) tropical fish tank, anyone got any ideas to what it is? I have put it back in the tank for now as there are now no fish in it.

Sorry the image is not brilliant, it has six legs and 3 prongs on the end of its tail.

 

[JohnD]

size?

 

[notb665]

Looks like a damselfly nymph.

 

[Spark123]

Its no bigger than 3/4" atm, damsefly nymph I'll have to look it up. Cheers

10/10 notb

I feel all queezy now!!!

 

[eggplant]

Looks like a damselfly nymph

Agreed, have you fed live worm recently ? often you get such creatures in the bags of worm.
What fish do you keep ? (out of interest, nothing to do with the nymph.

 

[Spark123]

It is in the tank which I use to quarrantine ill fish or new fish before introducing them into my community tank, its full of snails as well now!!
I don't really bother using worm etc, I just use flakes, I tend to have plenty of green plants.
I have allsorts in there really, from danios, harlequins, catfish, barbs, clown loaches and a red tail black shark. Just mainly the small fish though.

 

[gasmarkone]

This damsel nymph will probably be perched on the settee tomorrow as a handsome damselfly.

 

[Spark123]

Hope not, its in the garage

 

[gasmarkone]

God the worst sin in my job. NEVER ASSUME ANYTHING!!

 

[keyplayer]

10/10 notb

Yes, notb's been googling the word nymph for years now, hence the decree nisi.

 

[olly_k]

This damsel nymph will probably be perched on the settee tomorrow as a handsome damselfly.

Doubt it, looks very young to me and they generally take 3 or so years to mature. Nice find though. Good job not a Dragonfly nymph as these readily eat small fish LOL. They grow quite big too. I don't think damsels are quite as visious though!
Are you going to save it from being fish food?

 

[Spark123]

I don't know what I'm going to do with it yet!! I only found it by chance whilst pulling some plants out, it was pretty well hidden, nearly did end up in the other tank. I don't think it would stand a chance in there, clown loaches and all. Shark never bothered it whilst it was tank sharing for a few weeks.

 

[Fin]

Damselflys are very dangerous as they can kill with one bite!!

 

[Glassman]

Damselflys are very dangerous

Only if you're a Tadpole

 

[Fin]

Correct!