Hydra in Fish Tank

Hydra is mainly found in a large variety of freshwater habitats. They mostly occur in ponds, lakes, and rivers. The body of the hydra consists mostly of water and it can extend or shrink its body and tentacles. Hydra is an invertebrate freshwater animal. They can grow to a size between 0.3-1 cm. Hydras are sometimes accidentally introduced into freshwater aquariums when adding plants.

How do you get rid of the Hydra in Aquarium?

If you accidentally break off any pieces of the hydra, they will grow into a new hydra, they asexually reproduce rapidly by producing buds that grow into a new hydra.

Here are some ways by which we can get rid of hydra are-

  • Decrease the amount of food going into the tank. When hydra doesn't get food, the majority of them will starve to death.
  • Add predators to eat the hydra. Like Paradise fish and mollies eat hydra.
  • Manual removal- If you see hydras on the glass of your aquarium, you can remove them manually, carefully wiping with a sponge easily Removes a small patch of hydra.
  • Chemical removal- This is the best way the hydra in your tank will begin to wither and die. You can easily buy these chemicals on Amazon. Best hydra removers are available on Amazon.
  • You can try to use a heater to kill the hydra.
  • Increase temperature- first remove all the fish and plants before application. After Removing the livestock increase the temp 35-40°C. After keeping the temperature for around 8 hours, this will remove the hydra slowly.
  • Salt addition- Adding salt to your freshwater tank will also help kill hydra from your tank. Add 1 teaspoon to 20 liters of water and let them adapt for 1 hour and then repeat the process. Try not to exceed 5-10 grams per liter.

Will hydra hurt my fish?

Yes, hydra hurts your fish because hydras are capable of killing and eating more fish fry and even small adult fish, as hydra is carnivorous. Hydra reproduces asexually rapidly by producing buds that grow into a new hydra, break off and go out on their own.

Hydras are sometimes accidentally introduced into freshwater aquariums when adding plants. It poses a real danger to small freshwater aquarium fish. They primarily eat small Aquatic organisms such as cyclops, daphnia, and other Aquatic crustaceans, but can catch and ingest small fish.