What the heck are these

[gonzobluefuzz]

Ok folks I'm in need of a bit of assistance. Had a boo into my wee little 5G planted (swords, anubia,an otto and a bunch pygme cories) and spy this colony of little critters that look like they belong in a salt tank. Body???(i guess thats what I'd call it...maybe it's a thorax ...in not a biologist) is about 1/8" and have 4 or 5 jellyfish like tentacles protruding from one end. They are mostly congregating in the brighter portion of the tank sitting on leaves and stuck to the front glass. But I have just observed them translating from spot to spot  hitching a ride in the tank current.

Tank has been established 2 years, and running smoothly for the last while... with the exception of recent temp spikes (no A/C) all params have remained normal.

things I'm wondering are
1. What the heck are they
2. How do I get rid of them??? Should I add a platy or something and make him work for his keep.

Just shot a few quickies, ignore the glass and all ...this is strait off the card didn't bother making em pretty

Thanks in advance,

Gord

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[PaleoFishGirl]

They look like Hydra polyps... here's some info!


(they're kind of cute!)

[babblefish1960]

Oooh, hydra evil, kill, kill.

[BigDaddy]

Must kill hydra....

Seriously though, they are a major threat to fry and even some small fish.  However, if that isn't an issue, then they are more of an annoyance (to some) than anything.

[beowulf]

Interesting little buggers had never heard of them.

[babblefish1960]

They are the evil scourge of fry tanks the world over from the onset of the aquarium hobbyist world.

[KLKelly]

They look freaky! (shivers).  Good pics of them. 

[Fishnut]

Where the heck would they have come from?

[sas]

They look like Hydra polyps... here's some info!


(they're kind of cute!)

           Read this, the link PFG put in. Very interesting 

[gonzobluefuzz]

Wonderful!!.......... oh joy oh bliss ........"guess what mom.....I've got a a venomous fish killing plague in my tank .......yay!!!!!"

I have now idea how I could have picked this up. No new plants or livestock in over a year. I don't feed live foods comercial prepared pellets and frozen occasionally. I'm totally stumped as to why they are only manifesting themselves now, and at such a fast rate.

Anyone had firsthand experience with these guys?
Is there anything small that will eat these?? (being venomous I doubt it)
Is my only recourse tearing down the tank, nuke everything in bleach. Then start over from scratch (last resort)

The link lists Flubendazole 5% as being effective, anyone know what it is marketed as in North America

Thanks all

Gord

[mseguin]

If I remember correctly, blue gouramis eat them. As for dealing with them, cleaner water makes them go away on their own, or anything that works on parasites (including salt) should wipe them out.

[april]

interesting...ive heard of hydra..now i know more. yuk...ive heard they can attack and eat eggs . well then..it said bbs naupli you get them..

[plecoL83]

Flag fish eat them too. I found one in my tank moments later before I could get a picture, it was eaten.