Hydra !! any sugestions !

[Geordie]

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

[mistergreen]

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.

[shari2]

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

[rich]

I`d go with the flubenol/Flubendazole.

[Emma Turner]

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

[andyroo]

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

[The Kapenta Kid]

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

[Emma Turner]

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

[andyroo]

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.

[mistergreen]

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.