Freshwater Hydra
- Thread starter normd
- Start date
None of the research I have done indicates that Hydra will succumb to ICH treatment. there seems to be a lot of suggestions and a lot of people who claim siad suggestions don't work. The three solutions that seem to keep popping up for me are:
1. Fluke tabs - harsh but effective
2.Red ramshorn snails- In my way of thinking this would be the best option, Red Rams are my favorite snail, and I wouldn't have a tank without them especially if it has plants. They are fun to watch, nice to plants, tough on algea, and evidently hydra as well.
3. Gourami's- this is a great option as well if and only if gourami's fit into your stocking scheme.
Most of the other options read about were refuted by many folks, and honestly were far harsher than Fluke tabs.
1. Fluke tabs - harsh but effective
2.Red ramshorn snails- In my way of thinking this would be the best option, Red Rams are my favorite snail, and I wouldn't have a tank without them especially if it has plants. They are fun to watch, nice to plants, tough on algea, and evidently hydra as well.
3. Gourami's- this is a great option as well if and only if gourami's fit into your stocking scheme.
Most of the other options read about were refuted by many folks, and honestly were far harsher than Fluke tabs.
Don't laugh at me for saying this, but one or more will do the job. common (often called red) ramshorn snails do not require two to reprodcue. they lay eggs and become many. There are a couple ways to cantrol the poulation. the easiest is keep you tank clean and free of any excess food source ( remember algea is a snails favorite food) This is a good practice anyhow, and many of us use our snails to tell us when we need better maintenance or reductions in feeding.
the other option is to remove them when you get more than you like. just hang a piece of cucmber from a vegie clip.within a few hours the snails will congregate on it, and you can take them out. Then repeat until population is reduced to the desired level. You can also squish them against the glass for your fish. the fish will thank you, but there is a funny crunching sound that goes with this solution. some folks don't like the cruching sound. Although none of the fish you list are known snail eaters per-se, the angel especially will eat any babies it can thus controlling the population at least a little.
dave
the other option is to remove them when you get more than you like. just hang a piece of cucmber from a vegie clip.within a few hours the snails will congregate on it, and you can take them out. Then repeat until population is reduced to the desired level. You can also squish them against the glass for your fish. the fish will thank you, but there is a funny crunching sound that goes with this solution. some folks don't like the cruching sound. Although none of the fish you list are known snail eaters per-se, the angel especially will eat any babies it can thus controlling the population at least a little.
dave
:OT: a little bit.. i have a hydra problem too..
i am planning to get 2 Dwraf Flame Sunset Gouramis.
My question is can i get both Males, or will that be a problem..
I like the color on th e males..
:OT: instead of starting a new thread for this question i am just asking you guys.. hope u dont mind
i am planning to get 2 Dwraf Flame Sunset Gouramis.
My question is can i get both Males, or will that be a problem..
I like the color on th e males..
:OT: instead of starting a new thread for this question i am just asking you guys.. hope u dont mind
Another question is do you have a hydra problem or do you have hydra? If you're not breeding your fish or feeding live foods, hydra shouldn't be an issue. They aren't harmful to adult fish. There really are some brutal treatments out there!
I had hydra a while back, they're all gone now. Probably the snails got them (I've got lots of ramshorns), but there's also the possibility that the betta, being of the same family as gouramis) snacked on 'em or maybe the rainbows, or the tetras... In any even, they're gone and I did zip to get rid of them.
I guess I'm saying go with the gourami (if it fits the stocking plan) or the snails.
Kamla, as a rule 2 male gouramis is a no-no. Although if you had a really big tank perhaps they'd be cool setting up territories in opposite ends of the tank.
I had hydra a while back, they're all gone now. Probably the snails got them (I've got lots of ramshorns), but there's also the possibility that the betta, being of the same family as gouramis) snacked on 'em or maybe the rainbows, or the tetras... In any even, they're gone and I did zip to get rid of them.
I guess I'm saying go with the gourami (if it fits the stocking plan) or the snails.
Kamla, as a rule 2 male gouramis is a no-no. Although if you had a really big tank perhaps they'd be cool setting up territories in opposite ends of the tank.
There are two types of ramshorns. One with an operculum (the trap door thingy some snails have) & one without. I had one ramshorn without the operculum & it never bothered my plants. Also never reproduced. I got 2 more ramshorns thinking they were the same, these were prettier with a gold striping on the shells. I later noticed these had an operculum while my first one did not. Well they reproduced like mad and proceded to mow my plants down to the gravel. So avoid this type if you have plants.
I dunno, since I'm not really sure what did it for my tank I'm hard pressed to offer any insight into getting rid of them. But red ramshorns are some good advice, I watched one eat a dead leaf yesterday, kinda cool to watch. They move fast for snails too.normd said:
As with most snails there are several types of snails that go under the name of Ramshorn. The Big columbian ramshorns are actually a member of the apple snail family and will happily dine upon your plants. the common ramshorns get about 1" max, and range in color (as far as my experience) from very light yellow/beige to dark red/brown. These are the snails I'm referring too. None of mine have an operculum as far as I can see. they can be found in most plant tanks at the LFS's.
I have never seen a reference to any other snail eating Hydra, so don't know if they will or not.
Dave
I have never seen a reference to any other snail eating Hydra, so don't know if they will or not.
Dave