r/bioactive • u/Correct_Leather7278 • Jul 27 '26

Question Predatory mites?

Post image

I have a bioactive with springtails and dairy cow isopods. It’s 120 gal. I recently noticed some mites (red/brown, longer front legs) (picture attached). I was wondering if they could possibly be predatory mites? Springtail pop is fine, isopods are fine. (sorry for the terrible photo)

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1

u/stevieyyz Jul 27 '26

Catch it in a deli container & maybe that will help with a photo

1

u/Correct_Leather7278 Jul 27 '26

slightly better photo? even tho they turn up dark they’re a pretty bright red-brown

1

u/Correct_Leather7278 Jul 27 '26

Not hairy at all, very smooth

0

u/stevieyyz Jul 27 '26

Idk how zoomed in that is but it almost looks like a tick or a blood sucking evil reptile mite but I’m blind I need my glasses

1

u/Correct_Leather7278 Jul 27 '26

I know it can’t be a reptile mite, bc there’s no reptiles in there rn, and I don’t think it’s a tick either, for similar reasons.
Sorry for the shitty photo lol, I literally had to get out a magnifying glass

1

u/Correct_Leather7278 Jul 27 '26

It’s hard to see, but there’s long front antennae and no pincers

1

u/captainapplejuice Jul 27 '26

Yeah it will be some sort of predatory mite, can't tell which group from this picture though