Hydra, are they bad or part of the ecosystem

[Logan Kendrick]

Hey aquarium people I have a question about hydra, specifically green hydra. As someone newer to planted aquariums I have come to find my first tank that has a large number of green hydra in it. As with many other things, the internet will tell me that they must be pure evil and to get them out ASAP. But I have learned from Cory’s videos that many of these small creatures in our tanks might not be that bad and could be good for the ecosystem. 
 

So what’s your opinion or experience with hydra? At this time they don’t bother me I just want to learn more about them. 
 

A little about the tank. 20g guppy breeding tank with lots of fry, snails, and two amano shrimp. Dirt with sand cap, planted and a small amount of wood. Tested weekly with no issues and water changed as needed every week to ten days. I also feed baby brine shrimp multiple times a week which I have come to learn the hydra love to eat too. 

[Daniel]

People were afraid of hydra long before the internet. But in my opinion they are harmless to your fish and even your fry. They can do some serious damage to daphnia, I would prefer not to have them in my daphnia tanks. I get them also in tanks that get a lot of baby brine shrimp. All the little hydras just turn orange after a big feast. Overall they are pretty cool.

[MickS77]

I got rid of mine purely for aesthetics. I didn't want them overtaking the tank and looking unsightly like some kind of algae. 

[Daniel]

10 minutes ago, MickS77 said:

I got rid of mine purely for aesthetics.

I agree on the aesthetics, but lets say that they were hard to grow. Then they would sell for $3 a piece and be marketed as 'Freshwater Anemones'.

[Cory]

You could try vacationing a sparkling gourami in there, they're supposed to eat hydra. I'd try a few different fish until I found some that just eat it and once the problem is under control, move em back up for guppy production 😉

[Dean’s Fishroom]

Me, I say rid your tank(s) of hydra especially if there are to be any fry or shrimplets in the tank. Hydra being present is usually a sign of letting tank maintenance go for too long or overfeeding mainly fry tanks with baby brine shrimp. So IMO get rid of it!

 

[Daniel]

I have had a Daphnia outbreak in my scud aquarium and even my poor hydra are getting terrible 'tentacle tangle' syndrome due to these naughty Daphnia. What next Daphnia munching on my beloved planaria?

 

[Streetwise]

I think the only reasonable option would be to add some leeches, and a pet lamprey to your collection. You have to keep your theme going.

Edited August 25, 2020 by Streetwise