Justin and crawlies

[KathyM]

Right, today I checked on Justin, and his breathing hole was not opening and closing any more. I'm thinking he's died through the night but he's had us fooled before, so we'll see a bit later.

However, on him I noticed these very thin black wriggly things, much like those bugs you get on you in summer that splat easily (does anyone know what I mean?), but much smaller. Very thin, about 3mm long, black and wriggly. They were on the inside of his shell where he has retracted from.

I'm sure these aren't mites or worms, and I'm certain this is the first time he's had them on him as he has been having regular baths for some time and we've never seen them before. They've definitely only appeared today.

I'm wondering if these are a sign he's died? Are they some sort of fly larvae?

[LisaLQ]

Just to back Kathy up - neither of my two have these - so it's not what's made them poorly.

[KathyM]

Yes, sorry I didn't make it clear - I'm absolutely certain these aren't what's caused Justin's illness. I was just wondering if they are a sign either way of his condition - eg. they're there because he's dead or they are only there if he's alive.

[KathyM]

Well it doesn't indicate he's dead because he's not - he came out yesterday! Not getting my hopes up though as he's back in hiding today, but no sign of the crawlies on any of them since I posted.

[Deleted]

have u cleaned out sterilised the tank put new substrate in etc. etc. ?

[KathyM]

No need, they weren't mites or worms and they've gone - I assume they were related to fruit flies and as I've cleaned the tank there's no problem now