I noticed this strange white growth a couple of days ago. It appears in clumps; one batch here, another over there... It also seems to be climbing the sides of my tank. Any idea what it is, and whether it's harmful or not. If it is harmful to my tank, any help with removing it?
Unknown life growing
- Thread starter Finch
- Start date
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FishCrazyBenBOMB
Aquarium Advice Addict
I honestly don't know what it is, but I would remove it anyways. Looks bad.
CTD
Aquarium Advice Freak
I am curious as to know what it is also, I have never seen anything like it!
jcarlilesiu
Aquarium Advice Addict
White growth typically indicates bacterial growth of some kind.
Tony Gill
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Looks like some form of colonial hydroid to me.
Tony
Tony
ElvisMinnow
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
- Joined
- Oct 31, 2008
- Messages
- 18
Don't give the aliens a foothold...
As with everyone else, I don't know what it is. I saw a similar post recently and someone suggested slime mold--which is a Protist. Whatever. I can think of no good reason to keep it in your tank ( curiosity is NOT good enough ).
I would use one of those siphon gizmos and suck the whole thing up and out. And be vigilant so that when spores--or whatever it uses--germinate you can nip them early.
As with everyone else, I don't know what it is. I saw a similar post recently and someone suggested slime mold--which is a Protist. Whatever. I can think of no good reason to keep it in your tank ( curiosity is NOT good enough ).
I would use one of those siphon gizmos and suck the whole thing up and out. And be vigilant so that when spores--or whatever it uses--germinate you can nip them early.
CaptainAhab
Thanx but no.....
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2008
- Messages
- 2,333
I think it's a toss up between Tony and Purr, leaning toward Tony. Can you get a closer pic?
This is colonial hydriod in freshwater
Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL) - Biology
This is colonial hydriod in freshwater
Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL) - Biology
Tony Gill
Aquarium Advice FINatic
The reason I suggested freshwater colonial hydroids is that I have recently had them show up in my planted tank here. (I also had them years ago in an unplanted tank of oscars.) The polyps should be readily visible with a hand lens. I tried to remove mine manually, as I had small rainbowfish fry in the tank, but without much success. However, they have since disappeared, thanks (I suspect) to my growing colony of cherry shrimp. (I know cherry shrimp will eat hydra, so suspect they are just as happy eating the colonial species.) Anyway, try checking with a magnifying glass to see if you can see polyps.
Tony
Tony
ElvisMinnow
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
- Joined
- Oct 31, 2008
- Messages
- 18
Don't be dense...
If this was an experimental tank, or a I-wonder-what-grow-if...tank. Then I would agree. And as much as this does incite interest and would in my own tank especially, I see why one might want to study it...
But if something new and mysterious is growing that you cannot identify--and thus have no idea if it is toxic, or even just potentially harmful...and you have valued fish in the tank, then there is no reason to hazard them on a whim. Unless that is how you are wired.
If this was an experimental tank, or a I-wonder-what-grow-if...tank. Then I would agree. And as much as this does incite interest and would in my own tank especially, I see why one might want to study it...
But if something new and mysterious is growing that you cannot identify--and thus have no idea if it is toxic, or even just potentially harmful...and you have valued fish in the tank, then there is no reason to hazard them on a whim. Unless that is how you are wired.
If curiosity isn't good enough, why even have a tank?
