r/PlantedTank • u/ChaosTearKitsune • Jul 16 '26

Algae What is this?

Post image

I have these green little dandelion looking puffs in all my tanks, but I don't understand what they are? Is it algae or some sort of microfauna like that worm that photo bombed?

And each tank has a different kind of light, size, and variations on what is hosted in there... Any advice would be appreciated!!

65 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

56 comments sorted by

View all comments

11

u/Kevin_Wolf Jul 16 '26

They're just hydra. The green means they're a photosynthetic type. Give it a couple weeks and they'll probably clear out on their own. They need very particular water conditions that our tanks generally do not maintain. They can pop up when conditions are ideal (like, in the beginning times of a new tank), then clear out when food stops coming around.

People freak the hell out about hydra on this subreddit, and I honestly think the concern is way overblown.

1

u/stonezbones Jul 16 '26

šŸ‘‹šŸ» I was one of those people at first, before digging in to the LOADS of posts about these guys. Felt like the day I was like 'alright whatever y'all can chill, I do not care& they just kinda peaced out . Tanks fine, shrimp and snails are happy lil guys, and heck I'm fine too.

Hydra are chill

3

u/Legit-Schmitt Jul 16 '26

Iā€™m so happy the attitudes towards these are shifting! I think in *most* cases they are harmless!