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View Full Version : Please help id strange blue-gray freshwater growths.


atomiknachos
06-25-2007, 02:12 AM
I have noticed cloudy spots on the front glass of one of my tanks. Upon closer inspection, I see that these spots appear to be alive. They look like a small cluster of blue-gray stalks with a circular part at every end; I cannot tell whether there are tentacles on the ends or not, as they are just too small for me to see. These are clustered together in a branching structure resembling cauliflower or mushrooms. Each cluster is only about 1/4 in across, containing maybe 4-6 of these protrusions. There is clean glass space around each cluster of these 'things', though they cover most of the tank sides. I thought it might be relevant that they are not a solid carpet, but rather spotted fairly evenly around, as if inhibiting growth of others right nearby.

It is a 38gal tank, I have freshwater around 7ph, very low GH, and 9ish KH. The filtration is fairly poor, but since i was keeping mostly air-breathers, and a low fish load, i figured it was ok. i have 2 gouramis, 1 moonlight ~5in, 1 opalline ~4in. There are also 2 angelfish, approx 2.5in across the round of the body, and a clown loach, approx 5in. (the angelfish have only been in this tank about 1 week)

My angelfish were fighting with other angels i have while in another tank, so I put 2 angelfish into the 38 gal. Both were pretty beat up. One now has an infection on the side, the cottony looking kind. I have been treating the tank with Melafix and Pimafix.

I noticed the things on the glass, and have been uneasy about it since.

Any ideas what these are?? I recently read there were such things as freshwater hydras, but was unsure. They resemble small clusters of mushrooms to me, but i figured if this was some sort of fungus, the pimafix would kill it off.

PLEASE if anyone knows what this may be, or could point me in the right direction, I would really appreciate it.

Rue
06-25-2007, 02:26 AM
Sounds like hydras!

Probably best to let them run their course...

cocoa_pleco
06-25-2007, 02:28 AM
this is your 3rd post of this. please dont triple post

atomiknachos
06-25-2007, 02:33 AM
Ok, i really dont know anything about hydras, what is involved with 'running their course' ?

are they harmful to the fish? to me? any info would be appreciated.

How might they have gotten in the tank? I have never even seen these things before. The only change i have made to this tank in the last 6 mo, was putting some very old plastic plants back into the tank which i hadn't used in a year or more. All of my fish i have had for minimum 2 years, so i doubt they rode in a fish bag from the store.
Any ideas how one contracts hydras? if that is indeed what these are.

Oh, i neglected to say the tank is fairly heavily planted, with all the plants being at least 1 year old.

cocoa_pleco
06-25-2007, 02:35 AM
they only eat fry and are harmless to most fish

atomiknachos
06-25-2007, 03:00 AM
All of the freshwater hydras that ive seen so far are all wrong for what i have. The fw hydras i have seen so far in my research are all approx half tentacle half body. The things i have are more like 90% body 10% round endings, more resembling a daisy or sunflower in structure. They are also all in clusters, whereas the fw hydras ive seen are all single organisms evenly spaced.

I'm no expert by any means, but unless i have some sort of bizzare variation of hydra, what i have and what im seeing on the net doesnt seem to be the same creature.

Not to be a pain, but the mystery continues by my standards :)

Drumachine09
06-25-2007, 03:18 AM
Planaria maybe?

cocoa_pleco
06-25-2007, 03:20 AM
isnt planaria just a non-attach worm that sifts gravel?

Drumachine09
06-25-2007, 03:25 AM
isnt planaria just a non-attach worm that sifts gravel?



No idea. Im just throwing out ideas.

Ive heard of people saying planaria are like tentacles, so it could be.



Its kind of hard to tell without a pic.

Rue
06-25-2007, 03:30 AM
Planaria are non-parasitic flatworms, detritivores, cute and harmless...I've always been fond of them...they look like they have crossed eyes and little ears...

...and it's cool to watch them eat...

troy
06-25-2007, 03:54 AM
I have a few in a large critter that alsocontains:dead plant material,3 very small grass-like plants,daphnia, several shrimp things, and a damselfly Naiad. All came with plants I bought and collected.