The Freshwater Plague

[thefirethief]

Hmmmmmm. Someone has been sending me some nasty stuff

Ive had my planted tank on the go for about 3 weeks and have the standard snails as hitch hikers. To be expected. Then it got a bit strange. First off I plucked a 6cm long pink worm out my tank last week. Now Ive just noticed lots of tiny 1mm(?) bright green aphid like things crawling on my glass. And on top of that there are tiny plant like growths with 2mm long stalks and tiny feathery heads. Also the fabulous colour green. Thank goodness Im working nightshift tonight, no way am I sharing a room with these guys.

Any ideas? Im a bit worried about adding fish incase they end up with Herpes.

 

[Graeme Edwards]

The aphid like creatures you describe could possibly be Cyclops, Google it!!

The second definatly sounds like Hydra, again google it. Hydra is a fresh water anemone ( bloody stupid word! ) , it gets its green colour from the algea that lives within the creature. I once had them, cant remember how I got rid of them. I think I just left them to it, and they disapeard when I dismantled the tank.

R,Graeme.

 

[thefirethief]

thanks moody. I think you are right with the hydra and after looking at some pictures I think it is probably cyclops. I'll see what I can do.

 

[Graeme Edwards]

Dont worry about the Cyclops, apart from being part of the biodiversity in your tank. They can provide food for some of your smallest fish.

As for the Hydra. Try disslodging them, while holding a syphon near by. Or remove any heavy infested leaves etc.
The Hydra will eat the Cyclops, and some fish will eat Hydra, so keep up you hygne and romove any haydra where possible!