Hydra in the breeding tank

[Synirr]

I put a lot of live plants in my betta breeding tank to encourage infurosia, because all those little microorganisms make great snacks for newborn bettas, and today I was looking closely at the water, checking out all the little wiggly critters growing in there (cyclops, micro planaria, etc) and that's when I spotted them... HYDRA!
My first thought was "how cool!!" (can you tell I'm a biology student? ) but then I started thinking... what if they could harm very young fry? I scanned the rest of the tank and counted six of the little boogers total (including one that was dividing,) so I don't think it's that big of a problem... should I be worried? I'd really hate to tear the tank down and start all over, considering the great infurosia crop I have going...

Here's a hydra, for those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about
Those little tentacles can sting.

 

[Kiarra]

I think it would be a problem. The fry are so tiny, and it seems like everything can do them damage. I don't know for sure, though, but I wouldn't risk it if it were my tank and my future fry.

I'd probably have the same "hey, cool!" reaction you did, though. Pre-Med student here...another biology junkie.

 

[Synirr]

Well, I think I'd almost rather lose a couple of day-old fry than tear the entire tank down over 6 hydra, when it comes right down to it . The likelihood of the fry bumping into the hydra just seems so incredibly small...
I'm not going to be messing with it tonight anyway, so I'll just check tomorrow and see if they've multiplied. If there are twice as many tomorrow as there were today, maybe THEN I'll consider tearing the tank down for a thorough cleaning

 

[Kiarra]

What a nasty amount of work. I don't envy you if you do end up having to tear it down. I think they do multiply like mad, though. That's what I'd be worried about. Having 6 one day, go to spawn, and have hundreds of the stupid things...

 

[Synirr]

*Grumble Grumble*
There were a lot more than 6, as it turns out.
I took a reeeeal close look and agitated the water so they'd move, and yeah, I'll be tearing the tank down and scalding it clean with 190 degree water tomorrow... oh joy
I think I'll dip out some of the tank water to save my infurosia, since hydra aren't free-floating anyhow.

 

[Kinda Fishey]

They multiply pretty fast in tropical tempretures. I would use CLOUT, in a seperate container , to disinfect the plants , rince then put back into the tank.
I would use a mild bleach solution to clean the tank. I don't know what scalding water would do to your tank's cement.
Luck
KF

 

[Prizm]

Heh, just curious, what is a hydra? (not a dragon?

 

[WILDER]

http/www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/inve...tes/hydra.shtml

 

[Synirr]

I would use a mild bleach solution to clean the tank. I don't know what scalding water would do to your tank's cement.
Luck
KF

Apparently nothing detrimental
I officially killed every living microorganism that was clinging to life inside that tank... along with a few baby snails I missed when I was picking them out )

 

[wuvmybetta]

It's good that you did. It's too risky. I've watched poor baby fry being eaten alive by planaria, it sucked