Small Feather Dusters?

Hi folks!

I'm just getting my tank back up and running. My rocks have been stored in an old 29 gallon that was NOT properly maintained. At any rate, I'm getting my 55 going again and these things have popped up. There's nothing in the tank right now but my rock. I'm trying to get it back into shape before I add anything. These things look like very small feather dusters. It's an extreme closeup, so they look MUCH bigger in the photos than they really are. Actual diameter of each is about the same as number 2 pencil lead.


Thanks in advance,
Tom

 

Colonial Hydroids

 

That's not good, is it?

 

Not good, but not necessarily bad, either.

I've never had an issue with the colonies in my tank - in fact, they glow green under actinics and look kind of cool in the evening. However, I have heard that they can sting, kill or, at the very least, agitate corals that come too close. I've also heard that they can spread like wildfire but, again, I've never had an issue.

 

Woah I've never seen those before. Are they like anemones?

 

They're actually related to jellyfish.

 

before i knew what they were they just about wiped out a superman monti i have, they have a potent sting, my coperband buterfly ate them for me, i don't have a system to rid them but i would find one if i were you before they get all over the place i'm sure someone will give you a way to rid them.

 

You can try the pancake epoxy method.

Flatten out a piece place over the Hydroids, wait 2 weeks, remove and repeat.

 

if the rock is small enough I would just get rid of it. they are not good IMO

 

If you can, take out and torch the areas with a fire starter, ys know, kinda like a butane lighter. Works great, stays very local on the rock. It has worked for me, if it's possible for you.