Identify - Orchid Board

Waterdog111 · #1 Yesterday, 12:07 PM

Does anyone have an idea what type of aquatic worms these may be that are in the water bowls that I set some of my orchids in.

This is probably an almost impossible question seeing as how many different types there are. I ask because threre are some that I wouldnt want to propagate.

I am setting up a system which I intend to breed freshwater shrimp(small ones)

Blueszz · #2 Today, 07:50 AM

Are they more red than brownish?

Waterdog111 · #3 Today, 07:57 AM

Which were you asking about? The worms are black. The shrimp will be the red ones and maybe some yellow and blue. Thanks for asking.

Blueszz · #4 Today, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waterdog111

Which were you asking about? The worms are black. The shrimp will be the red ones and maybe some yellow and blue. Thanks for asking.

I meant the worms.
Sorry, if they are black, I have no clue.

Waterdog111 · #5 Today, 09:48 AM

Thank you for the thought, yea they are diffinently black. I dont think they are any sort of larva. Was just worried that they could do damage to my orchids, but I dont think so.

aihpcfl · #6 Today, 10:58 AM

Mosquito larvae would be the most likely guess, but I can't tell from the image. Are you familiar with them? They come to the surface to breathe. If you disturb the water they will drop to the bottom. And they wriggle.

I'm also on the Gulf Coast (Florida). I used to allow mosquito larvae to accumulate in a large jar to feed to my tropical fish. I never saw any other worms or larvae.

FWIW I did a search using ChatGPT and it suggested, among the possibilities, midge or gnat lava, nematode, aquatic earthworms, as well as mosquito larvae. ChatGPT responded that the image appears to show mosquito larva floating at the surface.