Tropical Fish Forum

Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => New Fishkeepers => Topic started by: Nichr1 on May 26, 2017, 10:28:46 PM

Title: Caterpillar type pest
Post by: Nichr1 on May 26, 2017, 10:28:46 PM
Can anyone identify the attached. I found a few of these in leaf sections that had been chewed off of the plants and folded and then attached to the glass under the waterline. I am new to keeping tropical fish and two weeks ago planted a number of live plants into the tank. I assume they have come as an extra free gift!
Title: Re: Caterpillar type pest
Post by: Andy The Minion on May 27, 2017, 08:02:25 AM
@Nichr1 I think it is a China Mark moth, it is a native species that builds protective nests of leaves in ponds like caddisfly lava https://www.ukmoths.org.uk/species/elophila-nymphaeata/
Well done, I don't think this question has been asked before :)
Title: Re: Caterpillar type pest
Post by: Sue on May 27, 2017, 09:59:13 AM
I've not heard of caterpillars in a tank before! Keep an eye out for more and remove them as soon as you see them. if they are like garden caterpillars you'll soon have no plants left  >:(

Live plants is how most of these pests, from snails to caddis fly and dragonfly larvae get in the tank. Snails I can put up with as they are useful part of the ecosystem, but not things that might eat my fish or plants.
Title: Re: Caterpillar type pest
Post by: Nichr1 on May 27, 2017, 05:23:20 PM
Hello Sue and Andy,
Thanks so much for the advice - I suspected they were not particularly good news and have removed all the ones I can see. Andy thanks for the link really helpful.
Robert