Quick question: Are ostracods harmful to axolotls?

[Nikitine]

I just noticed some in my tank, I wouldn't say it's overrun by them but there are quite a lot. I'm pretty sure my axies are eating them too because every now and then I see them suddenly chomp at something in the water.

I'm pretty sure they are ostracods because they're small white specks and move in a similar way to daphnia. Not sure where they have come from, maybe they were in with the daphnia or brine shrimp I used to use. Too small to take a photo, sorry.

They come from having too much leftover waste right? I just bought a new siphon so hopefully this will sort it. Thanks!

[oceanblue]

I would not worry too much about ostracods, they mainly eat vegetable matter and are no threat to adult axolotls. They are most likely to have come in with daphnia. They are good at removing dead leaves without harming live ones.

They are not a good first food for axolotl larvae, I tried using them as a first food and they seemed to shut their shells and go through the gut undigested and irritate the larvae and possibly nibble them.

Older larvae sometimes eat them and thrive. I've never been a "clean tank" fan. My tanks are glass sided muddy bottom ponds and the inhabitants thrive! If you want to encourage them add some slices of cucumber or pepper, if you want rid of them clear out any decaying leaves or stock the tank with guppies or white cloud mountain minnows instead of axolotls.