Is this a plant? Algae? Can anyone identify it?

[Zixx777]

I have a number of light pink plant-like things growing on my fresh water aquarium plants and glass. They really look like salt water coral- they have long feathery projections from the main body that move with the current. It is quite strange, as they just showed up and I have not added anything to the tank. Any help anyone can provide to identify what they are will be greatly appreciated! 
 

thanks!

Edited September 5, 2021 by Zixx777

[Tihshho]

Less of a plant, more of a parasite Sorry to say, you've got hydra.

[Guppysnail]

It is hydra but don’t fret….Stop feeding powdered foods and brine shrimp or yeast based shrimp foods for 2-3 weeks. They will cyst up.  Vacuum your substrate then to reduce numbers. They are a harmless natural part of an aquarium.  I have had these and the green ones for years. They are fascinating to watch eat. @Daniel posted an awesome video of them eating. They are in my shrimp and CPD tank as well and both species are very prolific.  Aq coop does a great video on them and how harmless they are. Hope this helps

edit.  welcome to the forum!

Edited September 5, 2021 by Guppysnail

[Tihshho]

On 9/5/2021 at 3:05 PM, Guppysnail said:

It is hydra but don’t fret….Stop feeding powdered foods and brine shrimp or yeast based shrimp foods for 2-3 weeks. They will cyst up.  Vacuum your substrate then to reduce numbers. They are a harmless natural part of an aquarium.  I have had these and the green ones for years. They are fascinating to watch eat. @Daniel posted an awesome video of them eating. They are in my shrimp and CPD tank as well and both species are very prolific.  Aq coop does a great video on them and how harmless they are. Hope this helps

edit.  welcome to the forum!

Harmless to larger fish, to fry and baby shrimp not so much.

[Guppysnail]

On 9/5/2021 at 3:14 PM, Tihshho said:

Harmless to larger fish, to fry and baby shrimp not so much.

They occasionally get one or two of my shrimplettes but not enough to deter a population over abundance of shrimp I  never seen them get a CPD fry (doesn’t mean they didn’t) but again not enough to be worried or lose sleep over. 

[Zixx777]

Thanks! I have never had hydra before. I will stop the baby brine shrimp for a few weeks and see if that works. I have noted the CPD fry in the tank have recently been quite sparse - this may be my answer as to why. I may also get a couple of mollies and see if that helps as well.

[Tihshho]

If you add mollies and have small fry in the tank, be aware they might go from sparse to gone. 

[Guppysnail]

On 9/5/2021 at 3:27 PM, Zixx777 said:

Thanks! I have never had hydra before. I will stop the baby brine shrimp for a few weeks and see if that works. I have noted the CPD fry in the tank have recently been quite sparse - this may be my answer as to why. I may also get a couple of mollies and see if that helps as well.

My guppies love eating them 🥰

[Scott P.]

I think that is the most Hydra I have ever seen in a tank. If it were me they would have to go.