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Cultivated Reef

Pest or Beneficial?


itznico

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Alright this is my first nano reef and I had this tank for about 2-3 months now but these guys just started popping out about 3 weeks ago, about a week after I started supplementing it with Purpleup, and they are multiplying fast. These guys look like starfish (very tiny starfishes) and they cover the glass of my aquarium.

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:welcome: !

 

Wow, they sure look like hydroid medusae to me, but I've never seen such a large bloom of them! (Nice pics, BTW.)

 

Here are a few links that show similar creatures, and have a bit of description, as well:

 

Shimek article--scroll down to section called “dots with legs:”

http://www.ronshimek.com/Animal%20Groups%2...0Cnidarians.htm

 

 

Shimek hydroid article

http://web.archive.org/web/20020815020152/.../wb/default.asp

 

 

wetwebmedia page with pics & descriptions of hydroid and other tiny medusae:

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/jellyidfaqs.htm

 

wetwebmedia pages, hydroid FAQs:

http://wetwebmedia.com/hyzoanidfaq.htm

http://wetwebmedia.com/hyzoanidfaq2.htm

 

You might want to search your LR for individuals of the sessile form of these creatures, the polyp stage of the hydroid. Here are a few polyp and medusa stage hydroids I've had:

 

pics of my white hydroid polyp stage w/ ball-tipped tentacles (just right of center--these guys are tiny!):

dscn2210medium6fb.jpg

 

dscn2215medium9kw.jpg

 

Pic of one of my white hydroid medusa

dscn3041croppedlargeig7.jpg

 

A different little hydroid polyp, taken before I knew how to get macro shots. Oh, well, emphasizes their tininess! :)

 

dscn0593mediumwithcircles4cu.jpg

 

I guess this is overkill--sorry! I just happen to have a file in which I've saved links & pics of these guys...

 

In general, the hydroids you seem to have, and the ones I've posted pics of, are considered benign, interesting hitch hikers. I had a lot early on; their numbers tapered off considerably once the tank began to fill up with the corals and other things I added.

 

Some hydroids are considered pests, but I'm rather confident yours are not in this category. I think these animals are fascinating. Enjoy them while they last!

 

--Diane

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:welcome: !Wow, they sure look like hydroid medusae to me, but I've never seen such a large bloom of them! (Nice pics, BTW.) Here are a few links that show similar creatures, and have a bit of description, as well:Shimek article--scroll down to section called “dots with legs:”http://www.ronshimek.com/Animal%20Groups%2...0Cnidarians.htmShimek hydroid articlehttp://web.archive.org/web/20020815020152/.../wb/default.aspwetwebmedia page with pics & descriptions of hydroid and other tiny medusae:http://www.wetwebmedia.com/jellyidfaqs.htmwetwebmedia pages, hydroid FAQs:http://wetwebmedia.com/hyzoanidfaq.htmhttp://wetwebmedia.com/hyzoanidfaq2.htmYou might want to search your LR for individuals of the sessile form of these creatures, the polyp stage of the hydroid. Here are a few polyp and medusa stage hydroids I've had:pics of my white hydroid polyp stage w/ ball-tipped tentacles (just right of center--these guys are tiny!):dscn2210medium6fb.jpgdscn2215medium9kw.jpgPic of one of my white hydroid medusadscn3041croppedlargeig7.jpgA different little hydroid polyp, taken before I knew how to get macro shots. Oh, well, emphasizes their tininess! :)dscn0593mediumwithcircles4cu.jpgI guess this is overkill--sorry! I just happen to have a file in which I've saved links & pics of these guys...In general, the hydroids you seem to have, and the ones I've posted pics of, are considered benign, interesting hitch hikers. I had a lot early on; their numbers tapered off considerably once the tank began to fill up with the corals and other things I added.Some hydroids are considered pests, but I'm rather confident yours are not in this category. I think these animals are fascinating. Enjoy them while they last!--Diane
Very helpful information Diane, thank you... and now the hunt for the polyph and medusa. Will update in future. Thanks again.YOur LR look awesomely healthy by the way.
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BustytheSnowMaam

Diane's awesome- nice macro shot, it looks like it's floating.

 

You will notice little outbreaks of critters like this for the first year or so- don't worry, they won't take over your tank. You'll have an outbreak of one thing, it will clear, then an outbreak of something else. Usually harmless.

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Lol this is my first tank you know what was I already thinking....Cool! Starfish....Theres another one!...and yay another one!..... wait... theres another one!?..... and theres more?....... OMG..... please stop.... no not another one! no no not another one..... Lol.

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Very helpful information Diane, thank you... and now the hunt for the polyph and medusa. Will update in future. Thanks again.YOur LR look awesomely healthy by the way.

 

Glad to help. That was my LR early on. Lost some of the lovely coralline as I started adding things...I think some of my snails actually graze it off...

 

Lol this is my first tank you know what was I already thinking....Cool! Starfish....Theres another one!...and yay another one!..... wait... theres another one!?..... and theres more?....... OMG..... please stop.... no not another one! no no not another one..... Lol.

 

LOL! I remember that stage perfectly! But that stage is my all time favorite--just poring over the rock, watching whatever tiny little thing appears...

 

BTW, you'll notice that the first Shimek article characterizes these as "walking" or "crawling." I've never had one that walked or crawled. Mine look similar, but they either sit in one place or pulsate (swim) around the tank...I'd love to see a walking one, though.

 

 

Tashayar--thanks much for the kind words!

 

--Diane

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i had thos before. hydroids are pretty cool. i smashed a big one up and he did a full recovery...i thought they were immortal... until they started to disappear...i miss them =(

 

most all beginner tanks have them.

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