Loaches Online Forum

Hi folks ,
I put a fast flowing stream stone covered in algea and a silk weed/willow moss type plant in a tank with baby crayfish which I used as a quarantine tank for cheni young ( did not sterilize in order to preserve the plant !). This was about a mounth ago and now my tank is thriving with Hydra !! the crayfish are OK put the Hydra is unsightly and it looks like I'm nurturing a tank from hell . Any sujestions ? should I clean out the tank straight away or is their a biological control or any advantage to having a tank in such a condition ?
All the best ,
G. John

lots o' water change and some fish eat the guys, but I forgot which.
I personally think they're cool looking. Kinda like a ocean reef with anemone.

Something from Aussie rainbowfish keepers that might help:
http://members.optushome.com.au/chelmon/Hydra.htm

I`d go with the flubenol/Flubendazole.

I have loads of Hydra in my river tank despite excellent conditions and no overfeeding etc. I have been worrying that these could be taking tiny hillstream fry.

Emma

Gouramis eat hydra, particularly kissing spp. No good for high-current conditions, though.
I'd think that any "sucking" fish, pleco-cat, gobi or loach would eat them. Also the SA characins with kissing/rasping mouths probably would also eat and would be good in higher flow.
Interesting question this. Discussion of mouthparts. Probably poorly described in academic lit: Martin ?
Andrew

When in doubt, always check the good old Krib.

http://www.thekrib.com/Fish/hydra.html

There are many many suggestions here, biological, chemical, and thermal--although not thermo-nuclear

andyroo wrote:I'd think that any "sucking" fish, pleco-cat, gobi or loach would eat them. Also the SA characins with kissing/rasping mouths probably would also eat and would be good in higher flow.

Various hillstream loaches don't touch them, neither do my two L46 plecos.

Emma

That's that then. Thus flows the knowledge stream...
It does suprise me though... seems like free protien. I've never had Hydra in a fishtank, even though i tend to break the proverbial rules.

The Kapenta Kid wrote:When in doubt, always check the good old Krib.

http://www.thekrib.com/Fish/hydra.html

There are many many suggestions here, biological, chemical, and thermal--although not thermo-nuclear

good ol' thekrib.

I'd go with the non-chemical route.. Hydras are harmless except against fries.