Yep, dead chironomid larva. Species with the red colouration due to producing hemoglobin, which isn’t common in invertebrates, are what’s colloquially known as bloodworms in the aquarium hobby. The critter feeding on it appears to be a leech. Likely a snail leech of some kind!
Blackdutchie
You’ve correctly identified the midge larva, but it seems it’s being eaten by some kind of leech.
Identifying characteristics for this kind of small leech include:
1. the more pear-like body shape (horizontally. It’s likely very flat vertically), with the front section that extends quite far if needed but can also be retracted (like at 0:13).
2. the sucker at the rear, with which it attaches itself to the glass of your ecosphere
3. the way it wiggles around its front section while keeping the back section attached is a very leech-like behaviour.
Wouldn’t be able to tell you the species, maybe someone will come along who happens to know.
2 Comments
Yep, dead chironomid larva. Species with the red colouration due to producing hemoglobin, which isn’t common in invertebrates, are what’s colloquially known as bloodworms in the aquarium hobby. The critter feeding on it appears to be a leech. Likely a snail leech of some kind!
You’ve correctly identified the midge larva, but it seems it’s being eaten by some kind of leech.
Identifying characteristics for this kind of small leech include:
1. the more pear-like body shape (horizontally. It’s likely very flat vertically), with the front section that extends quite far if needed but can also be retracted (like at 0:13).
2. the sucker at the rear, with which it attaches itself to the glass of your ecosphere
3. the way it wiggles around its front section while keeping the back section attached is a very leech-like behaviour.
Wouldn’t be able to tell you the species, maybe someone will come along who happens to know.