Is this something I should be concerned about?

[vr6lucas]

Hello! This is my first reef tank, and this morning, I noticed one of my zoa polyps wasn't opening, and next to it was this thing. Should I be concerned or take any action? It's the only one I see, and it would be easy to remove the island that the zoa is on. Thanks!

 

[Tahoe61]

It's a hydroid, and there is probably more. They will sting corals.

 

[vr6lucas]

Thank you! Is there a proven way to remove them? something that eats them perhaps?

 

[Tahoe61]

Thank you! Is there a proven way to remove them? something that eats them perhaps?

Hydroids: a reference to some strategies

Like many of us, I have had problems on and off over the years with Hydroids. The ones that have always given me the most problems are the common ones that almost look like a smaller and darker version of the beginner coral called Yellow Polyps. But the colonial Hydroid is much smaller than...

www.reef2reef.com

There is no easy answer. Sometimes I just ignore them. Population numbers reflect the available food source. If you are broadcast feeding, and or have increased particulates in the water column the numbers of hydroids will increase.

 

[vr6lucas]

Got it! I appreciate your help!