Can anyone help ID this bug with wings?

[ReefNoob5281]

Hello All.

New to the hobby and the tank is new (3-4 months Old now)

i was just sitting there checking everything over and noticed this bug with wings sat in my return pump section of the sump.

To me it looks like a fly as it looks like it has wings but it is submerged under the water and has been for some time i have attached 2 videos of different angles of the little critter.

Thankyou.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

It's some terrestrial insect that flew into your tank.

 

[ReefNoob5281]

It's some terrestrial insect that flew into your tank.

Really!!! jeez I wish i could hold my breath for this long its got a right pair of lungs on it haha just went to check to see if it was ok and its still alive and kicking in there ill try and remove it and let it free in the garden thankyou!!

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Really!!! jeez I wish i could hold my breath for this long its got a right pair of lungs on it haha just went to check to see if it was ok and its still alive and kicking in there ill try and remove it and let it free in the garden thankyou!!

Marine life does not have wings

 

[ReefNoob5281]

Apologise for the side on camera i managed to fish it out but looks like it is enjoying itself in the water i mean i dont mind leaving it in there if it isnt going to do any harm to the tank or its tank mates.

 

[ReefNoob5281]

Marine life does not have wings

 

[ReefNoob5281]

im starting to think they look more like paddles than wings now

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

im starting to think they look more like paddles than wings now

Ok. Still no idea what it is.

 

[KrisReef]

I’m going to guess that you have a termite in the sump. It’s that time of year for swarming.

 

[ReefNoob5281]

ok little update i just got it onto some tissue paper and it immediately took off! I managed to catch it and let it free in the garden but wow im impressed, How was it managing to breathe under the water for so long? or well hold its breath for so long I should say. I did notice it looked like it was struggling to break the surface of the water to get out.

We shall settle on A terrestrial insect (Possibly a Termite) With the lung capacity of a Deep Sea Free diver

 

[Mark Goode]

It's a water boatman

 

[ReefNoob5281]

It's a water boatman

I put it in a bush in my back garden....

Going forward if I see one in the sump again are they ok to be in there or should I remove them when I see them?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I put it in a bush in my back garden....

Going forward if I see one in the sump again are they ok to be in there or should I remove them when I see them?

Lol!! Totally depends - do you want bugs swimming on the surface?

 

[Mark Goode]

I've never seen one in salt water before. It probably got pulled into your house by the lights. They're predators, but your tank should be safe -they're not very big.

 

[ReefNoob5281]

Lol!! Totally depends - do you want bugs swimming on the surface?

Yeah very true haha i mean i could put it in my pond but I really don't fancy its chances there either with the koi.

 

[ReefNoob5281]

I've never seen one in salt water before. It probably got pulled into your house by the lights. They're predators, but your tank should be safe -they're not very big.

Ok thankyou for the info I was just reading up about them and they can live in brackish waters so it may not have survived the night or might of just hopped on out of there as I have been leaving the door off the front of my sump with all this hot weather we are having at the minute to keep the temperatures down.

Edit: Just read it again and they can be found in salt water as well.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

I see those in my swimming pool when I neglect to keep up with the chlorine