Beware! Underwater Caterpillar??!

**green palette** · 2nd Nov 2009, 21:28

Hi bros,

Beware! Underwater Caterpillar??!

I thought this would be good to share, I was shrimp watching my planted shrimp tank just recently and i noticed that there was this "debris" (like a piece of leaf) among the leaves of my japonica plant. Initially, i did not fish it out as i thought it looked quite natural. Lo and behold, when i was observing the tank, something green, long and hairy suddenly popped out from this "leaf" actually it looks like a spring onion plant, you will understand when you see the pics. Its a underwater caterpillar!! I have not come across one before in my 5 months of this hobby and it sure gave me a shock and the shivers!

I have no idea how it got in there from the plants? from a butterfly?!? haha. Anyone came across this pesky underwater caterpillar before? (ate one bunch of my japonica) Can someone please help me to ID it and does it mean if there is one means there are more in my tank??

help needed..Thanks!!

**stormhawk** · 2nd Nov 2009, 23:46

That's not a caterpillar. If it made a home from the plant leaf, it is a caddisfly larva. I cannot tell you the proper ID, but you got one funky new pet there.

It is possible that you might have another. They feed on algae and plants, and some species will eat other insects. They need good aeration so if you keep that one permanently in that tub, it will probably die.

**ranmasatome** · 3rd Nov 2009, 00:20

Thanks stormhawk...

green palette.. you can refer to a thread called "bugs you may encounter" or something like that to find out more.

**green palette** · 3rd Nov 2009, 00:52

thanks for the replies..

stormhawk: actually i do not have a plant that looks like the one that it has made a home out of..so i'm also not sure how that came about. I shall research more on the caddisfly to see if it is a fit =) thanks!

ranmasatome: may i know where i can find that link? thanks..