[jonathan]

I think I have Hydra except by description hydra is much larger than the inhabitants I see. Mine are teeny tiny like one or two millimeters. They are living on my glass. I cant really even photograph them. No macro lens.

This is Hydra
Size: 0.3 - 1.5 cm / 0.1 - 0.5 in

Now what I have actually looks more like the feathers on this Bryzoa. They are living on my glass. They dont have the coral colony structure of bryzoa.

Any idea what I have ??? My tank shouldn't be fully cycled by this time. I cant believe its algae and I never seen this before. There are no fish so its not from over feeding.

 

[MSG]

What other critters/plants/snails do you have in your tank?

Hydra starts out tiny & grows the more it feeds.

I've had several outbreaks of hydra. Last one I spotted in my tank was MONTHS ago.

Luckily the betta fry in the tank didn't seem bothered by the 1cm hydra at all.

 

[jonathan]

Whatever they are, they are numerous all across the glass. I first noticed a few, and now they are many more. I'm watching for growth very closely.

I have unidentified stowaway snails and a single stowaway Amano shrimp. Several species of anubias and several species of fern. Tank is new and mid cycle.

 

[somewhatshocked]

First - I hope you don't have shrimp in your tank as it is cycling.

But about "Hydra"... have you tried removing them? If so, do they reappear with any frequency?

 

[jonathan]

I discovered a shrimp in there last night. He must have hitch hiked on the hard scape I used from another aquarium. He must have been there since 10 days into the cycle. Its now 20. Today my water is 1ppm 0 0. I dont want to freakout my roommate when I tear everything apart to catch him. I'm waiting for her to go to work. Sad I know

I have not tried removing them. Ill do that tonight, and report later.

 

[somewhatshocked]

Since the shrimp has survived this long, it's possible it'll be fine from here on out. Best to move it to a properly cycled tank if you can, though.

About the Hydra, if that's what this turns out to be... you should be able to easily treat for them if needed. Probably best to wait until after your initial 'cycle' is complete and then you can add the medication prior to adding livestock to make sure there's no risk.