Fresh Water - What is it ???????

[cfdfirediver]

My son and I were diving this week, and happened upon one of these little guys while untangling some milfoil. Then realized they were everywhere!
Location was Upstate New York in a very cold, spring fed lake. The pics aren`t that good so I`ll describe it a bit. Approximately 1/16th inch in size, orange in color. Looks like a piece of aquarium gravel that swims. It appears to have 6 legs, but very hard to tell! Most were attached to plants, but some were on the algae on the bottom, and some free swimming. The most unusual thing to me is the color! Grey, brown, and green are normal colors for dives in our area! If anyone has any thoughts let me know!

 

[irishsquid]

If I didn't know better, and found it here in the south, I'd say it was a chigger that fell in the water next to the Nuclear power plant. That is what it looks like, but I have no idea.

 

[archman]

They look kind of like water mites.

 

[Rick Inman]

They look kind of like water mites.

Yes they do.

 

[cfdfirediver]

Thats it! I have heard of them, but did not expect the size or color! Thanks!!

 

[irishsquid]

Yes they do.

Those buggers look just like a chigger.

Do they cause the same kind of hellish itch and rash that chiggers do?