Hydra?

[Shiverz]

I'm a little confused, not long ago my tank underwent some salt water treatment for an illness, yet, two weeks later I have hydra all along the bottom of my tank, they're roughly 1-2mm in size. I've also noted small white critters near the waters surface, though they're that small I can't identify them they're smaller than 1mm.

The only recent additions/changes to the tank is temperature (increased to 27c) and the filter. Though let it be noted the filter was changed when Shoto underwent salt bath treatment. Am I right in thinking that the salt treatment should have killed Hydra in the tank?

I've been trying to get a picture of the hydra just in case I misidentified them, though my camera isn't picking them up clearly. I'm quite sure they are hydra as I don't know what else looks like this. They remind me a little bit of dandelion parachute things (the flowers you blew as a child). I understand these are mainly dangerous towards small fry and fish. How dangerous are they to Shoto (betta)? How would I get rid of them?

I've heard cranking the heat up to 40c and leaving it for several hours will kill them, but the only other tank I have is a one gallon and my cats can open doors so putting Shoto in a bucket isn't a feasible idea either.

 

[Colin_T]

a high enough dose (2 heaped tablespoons per 20 litres of water) of salt should kill hydra but need pictures to confirm they are hydra.

 

[Shiverz]

I did a little digging last night, and I inspected the potential hydra a little further and I think I jumped to conclusions. Now with a sober mind on the case I believe that they are a form of bryozoa, as for the other smaller critters I have no idea.

I apologise for the quality of the pictures but taking photo's of microscopic things isn't my forte, in fact, I'm not even good at taking pictures of large objects haha.

 

[ghyti]

Fenbendazole (Safeguard dog de-wormer) will kill the hydra overnight. Dose at 0.1 gram per 10 gallons. It will not harm the Betta or any other fish.

 

[Shiverz]

Are the pictures good enough to establish what they are? their numbers seem to be increasing rapidly.

I've added some Cattana leaves (not sure if I spelt that right) and a coconut shell to the tank. Which has really improved Shoto's wellbeing, though I have a feeling it's bolstered these little critters too.

I thought they were Bryozoa but aren't they meant to "combine" with each other? so far they seem to be keeping their distance.

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

@Colin_T 's treatment for hydra should also work for other similar microorganisms. Your pictures aren't clear enough for a definite identification, but if you look with a good magnifying glass and look at hydra images on-line, you'll be able to see if that's what they really are.

 

[Shiverz]

Their "tentacles" aren't as long as a hydra's and there seem to be a lot more of them (tentacles) too. They seem to bea lot smaller than Hydra's also, I've heard Hydra's can grow up to an inch? these are teeny.

I can't find anything other than bryozoa that fits their description, I know they are filter feeders of some description. I'll take a closer look on the net or something and see what I can dig up. I would offer a better picture but my phone just wont pick them up.

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

Is this what you're looking at?

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

I've heard Hydra's can grow up to an inch? these are teeny.

That is so wrong it's ridiculous! Someone's been telling you fairy stories.

The image I've posted is of a cyclops...which is harmless and makes for good eating.

 

[Shiverz]

That is so wrong it's ridiculous! Someone's been telling you fairy stories.

damned internet. (I should've known better)

The image I've posted is of a cyclops...which is harmless and makes for good eating.

I'm pretty sure it's not a cyclops, I just took about loads of pictures and managed to get this.

 

[Avel1896]

These are hydras :

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

A tiny daphnia species?

Or a 'seed shrimp', seen sideways on?

 

[Shiverz]

Vorticella! Now I just need to know if these are harmful or not

 

[Shiverz]

A tiny daphnia species?

View attachment 142506

Or a 'seed shrimp', seen sideways on?

View attachment 142507

These guys don't move, they just sway in the water hence why my drunk self thought they were hydra when I first saw them

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

Freshwater limpet?