Hydra

[Peyton]

So how bad are hydra? I have them in my 10gal cherry shrinp tank. Could they kill a small cherry shrimp? I think they came with my eco-complete. So far I have seen nematodes, copods, and hydra in this tank and the only explanation I find is the eco-complete substrate. I have never seen any of these in any other tank with the exception of copods in my 40gal, that also has eco-complete.

 

[krap101]

i personally don't think so, but i've never had hydra in with small fish/inverts that long. i've heard they can kill baby fish and maybe sting bigger fish, but maybe someone else can pop in

 

[Toirtis]

Hydra would easily predate small cherry shrimp....they can even take out small guppies.

 

[Peyton]

What can I do to get rid of them that would not harm the shrimp?

 

[Toirtis]

Mollies like to eat them, but they may also like to eat your shrimp. Any chemical that will kill the hydra will also kill your shrimp. You may have to move the shrimp, drop in some mollies, and return the shrimp after the mollies have cleaned out the hydra.

 

[triazole]

how about gouramis? loan a pearl/three-spot gourami (not a big one!) from your lfs - though i don't know about their affection for shrimp.

 

[toddnbecka]

I had a hydra infestation in my 10 gallon shrimp tank a while back. I left the plants in the tank, moved the shrimp (and some of the snails) into a 5 gallon bucket w/airstone and heater, and double-dosed the tank with Had-a-Snail (copper sulfate solution).
The following day, I drained the tank, rinsed it well with fresh (dechlorinated) water several times, and restocked. The hydra were eliminated, along with most of the copepods they had been feeding on. There are still some tiny critters, likely related to daphnia, swimming around the tank. No problems since then.
Hydra usually come along with plants, same with the other little critters.

 

[Toirtis]

I strongly suggest against using any copper solution, as it can be difficult (if not impossible) to remove all traces from the tank afterwayds, and those traces will negatively affect, if not kill, any invertebrates (such as desireable shrimp/snails/etc).

 

[kostasonia]

Sorry for my ignorance....what is an "hydra"??

 

[Toirtis]

Sorry for my ignorance....what is an "hydra"??

Rather than attempt to write out a comprehensive description, I shall provide you a link to with, complete with photos:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydra_(genus)

 

[coldmachineUK]

Does anyone know if medication or treatment can be used with loaches in the tank (as a scaleless fish)?
I have just noticed a hydra problem in my river setup and I believe they may be responsible for harming if not killing one of my white cloud mountain minnows.

 

[arvalis]

I need some help...

I have this hydra-like creatures in my tanks and I don't like them at all. Are they some type of hydras actually? How can I remote them? Thanks!

http://picasaweb.google.com/arvalis/cyjFjK#5412109588170963474

 

[DragonFish71]

I have this hydra-like creatures in my tanks and I don't like them at all. Are they some type of hydras actually? How can I remote them? Thanks!

Picasa Web Albums - Ivaylo Tiholov - Λεύκωμα χωρίς...

From your picture it looks like algae and snails, I'm sorry but I don't see hydra at all.

 

[DragonFish71]

Does anyone know if medication or treatment can be used with loaches in the tank (as a scaleless fish)?
I have just noticed a hydra problem in my river setup and I believe they may be responsible for harming if not killing one of my white cloud mountain minnows.

Tropical Fish Problem Solver Chart


There's something on here for hydra. Still looking though.

 

[DragonFish71]

I also keep seeing references to fluke tabs.

 

[arvalis]

So, this is algae? In the big tank they are 1-2 cm long and not so much, but in the small one they are thousands and do not pass the 5 mm. I added another photo from the small tank. Yes, snails are really very much but they do not bother me. I do not want this 'hair' on my plants :-( Thank you for helping!

Picasa Web Albums - Ivaylo Tiholov - Λεύκωμα χωρίς...#http://picasaweb.google.com/arvalis/cyjFjK#5412188051213664066

 

[mfdrookie516]

yep, definately looks like a case of some sort of hair algae and a few mts

 

[Peyton]

So, this is algae? In the big tank they are 1-2 cm long and not so much, but in the small one they are thousands and do not pass the 5 mm. I added another photo from the small tank. Yes, snails are really very much but they do not bother me. I do not want this 'hair' on my plants :-( Thank you for helping!

Picasa Web Albums - Ivaylo Tiholov - Λεύκωμα χωρίς...#

Definately not hydra. Definately hair algae. A few siamese algae eaters can help get that under control. However you'll need to find out whats causing it in the first place.

 

[arvalis]

Thank you, guys!