I had an infestation of these critters in one of my tanks a couple of years back. I popped one under the microscope, and produced the sketch you see below. There was no observable effect on the fish, however. They were mostly around the waters edge, although I did see some on the water surface. I got rid of them eventually by crushing a few with my finger, everytime I went near the tank. I have no idea where they came from.

They're quite small (0.5mm), they jump, and are a pale tan color.

Mike Noren, over at Planet Catfish, has informed me that these critters are Springtails.

They eat vegetable matter on the waters surface. I don't have floating plants in my tank per se, but my Cabomba often overgrows across the surface. It's most likely that the Springtails made their way to the tank, via my Wife's potted plants.

Here's a much better

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by Rick Sardinha.

I have litttle yellow springtails in my aquarium and goldfish tank. I don't mind them. I saw some red sringtails in a container of water outside. I've seen gray ones in my pond. They're completely harmless and tiny fish may eat them if they can catch them.

i know it isnt, but it reminds me of a flea, without the big back legs.

when i had a bare breading and rearing tank set up i saw alsorts of tiny little beasts. at 1st i was worried that they were something harmfull but then realised that they were the micro organisms that my java moss and infusora were supposed to promote. when the fry hatched i noticed that the little beasts soon became food and it was funny to watch the tiny fry chase the even tinier beasts about the tank.