Snowflakes on Glass

[bioload]

I know that this has been asked somewhere before, but I can't seem to find it.

Found what appears to be tiny little snowflakes on the glass of my tank. Couldn't get a decent picture since their too small, but there's quite a few of them. looks like they have little tentacles as well.

[NanoReefaholic]

Hydroid jellyfish, Staurocladia oahuensis.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b222/Talonstorm/whitebug012406b.jpg

[bioload]

Thanks NR, thats it

[Eric c]

kewl i have them in a 10g i am experimenting with

[Lrn2Reef]

Are these safe, how big will they get?

[ajx22]

Please see the below info.

These are NOT something that you want in your tanks - they can develop into a scourge much, much worse then Aiptasia, etc.


I don't have a digital camera, I'll try to borrow one from my buddy and get it done sometime.


Anyways, Rottn, do you have any of the other fish I mentioned? The Blenny is a mottled green with 'tufts' on his top fin, right on his head kind of... looks like a cross between a hawk and a blenny actually.
There are also blue leg hermits in the tank, but they stick to the bottom and the rocks.

P.S. Did you realize that if you can see these things on the glass, then there are a lot more on the rocks and sand? I have noticed turbo snails shying away from them on the glass, maybe they're not so harmless.
http://www.aquariumpros.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=3368&highlight=hydroid

This thread has a pic that looks exactly like what I've got.

P.S. Did you realize that if you can see these things on the glass, then there are a lot more on the rocks and sand? I have noticed turbo snails shying away from them on the glass, maybe they're not so harmless.



Hydroids are not harmless. In fact they pack a pretty nasty sting. Be careful when working around them if you don't wear gloves.

I've read and also been told that there are a few methods to eliminating them. Two of which are a kalk paste and a certain species of Nudibranch. I'm not sure which species.

I've read of others having some luck using Joe's Juice. Others have mentioned using a kalk paste to cover the colony. Covering them with epoxy was also mentioned.

I did some searching and came across this site which claims to have a fix.

Hydroid Remover (http://www.fishtothenth.com/Hydroxs.htm)


The DT at the BA's here in Kitchener is plagued with hydroids.


Kev :puter:

I used to have tons of hydroids in my tank too. Then after I got some peppermint shrimp, they pretty much disappeared. I can't positivly say that the shrimp cleaned them up, but it seems to be a plausible explanation.

I have a purple tang (same family as the yellow) in one of my tanks. I've also got a hippo & kole (different families) in my other tank.

P.S. Did you realize that if you can see these things on the glass, then there are a lot more on the rocks and sand? I have noticed turbo snails shying away from them on the glass, maybe they're not so harmless.
http://www.aquariumpros.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=3368&highlight=hydroid

This thread has a pic that looks exactly like what I've got.Oh, you've got the hydrozoan jellyfish (dots with legs) kind. I've had them also in the past. It's been a while since I've seen those kinds though. They used to appear, and then disappear at random it seemed. I did have pepps back then, so maybe...?

The kinds I have now, unfortunately, are digitate (known to have one of THE most powerful stings among hydroids), and also "hydrozoan polyps", also known to sting.

I've been "putting up" with mine, and will continue to do so until I find a "cure", or until these hydroids do some damage which will force my hand. So far, they've been fairly benign (knock on wood!)

Good luck! :)

[NanoReefaholic]

Thanks Aj, guess I should have gone further than just the ID. As cool as they are they can be nasty. I've found that they usually die off, but if not... well... eek.

[bioload]

Thanks for the info guys. Must have been curing with some liverock I added recently.

Is it something I should try to get rid of now or see if they just die off like others ??

[ajx22]

Most likely - won't develop into a problem...however, if you start to see the colonies (as pictured below) - you need to take aggressive action -FAST!!!

http://www.aquariumpros.ca/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=3233&d=1080701098

http://www.aquariumpros.ca/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=2514&d=1077428981

http://www.aquariumpros.ca/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=2515&d=1077429028

http://www.aquariumpros.ca/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=2516&d=1077429063

[/URL]http://www.aquariumpros.ca/userfiles/AJ-Tank-Nov-03/hydroids.jpg



[URL="http://www.aquariumpros.ca/forums/showpost.php?p=46807&postcount=10"]More history (http://www.aquariumpros.ca/forums/../userfiles/AJ-Tank-Nov-03/hydroids.jpg) (MY personal battle (http://www.aquariumpros.ca/forums/showpost.php?p=152952&postcount=14) with them).

[gumby2k]

I got these snowflakes after 2 1/2 weeks of cycling with cured live rock.
How would I get rid of them??
19583

[ajx22]

I got these snowflakes after 2 1/2 weeks of cycling with cured live rock.
How would I get rid of them??
19583
Easiest way = airline tube siphon