Tiny Midges

eupterus · Post by **eupterus** » 03 Dec 2005, 10:18

I have a problem which has arrisen over the last week. I have eruptions of tiny midges in the morning. They are non biting but unfortunately my wife isnt and as I have 4 120l tanks in the study she isnt best pleased that flies are swarming. I have internal filters and I removed the top two spnges and found minute bloodworm living in them. I was wondering whether anyone else has had this problem and how they have overcome it. Any help is welcomed. Would sterazin kill the larval stage??

Post by **Silurus** » 03 Dec 2005, 11:19

Wouldn't it be easier to let your fishes have a go at them?

eupterus · Post by **eupterus** » 03 Dec 2005, 13:19

It certainly would and I agree biological control is better, but.... these tanks are for breeding lorricariae. One has a trio of ancistrus , one has four L264, one has 4 L134 and the other is ready for some F acus. None of these are taking the the midges. There are a few livebearers in the tanks, endlers, giardina, limia and misquito's but none of them are touching the larvae

Help

coelacanth · Post by **coelacanth** » 04 Dec 2005, 02:41

I'd get some Rivulus, Hatchetfish or Splashing Tetras, they will deal with them without any problems.
We get them at work constantly, they are a tiny Chironomid and so as you say they are non-biting, we just regard them as a free dietary supplement for the fish.
You could also try some freshwater shrimps (true Decapods, not Gammarids), these may pick out the larvae while scavenging.