Difference between revisions of "Hydra"

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(Extensive edits (believe me...I've had hydra mishaps before))
 
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|image=HydraPolyp-78.jpg
 
|image=HydraPolyp-78.jpg
 
|availability=Rare
 
|availability=Rare
|habitat=North America
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|habitat=Global
 
|family=Hydridae
 
|family=Hydridae
 
|captive_bred=No
 
|captive_bred=No
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|min_tank_size=1
 
|min_tank_size=1
 
|min_tank_size_unit=gallon
 
|min_tank_size_unit=gallon
|min_ph=7
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|min_ph=6
 
|max_ph=8
 
|max_ph=8
 
|min_temperature=72
 
|min_temperature=72
 
|max_temperature=84
 
|max_temperature=84
 
|temperature_units=F
 
|temperature_units=F
|min_water_hardness=6
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|min_water_hardness=0
|max_water_hardness=10
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|max_water_hardness=15
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
== Origin ==
 
== Origin ==
:The Hydra is found basically any body of freshwater in the world. You can find them in freshwater bodies of water like even your local pond, lake or river! They are just rare to find in stores.
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:Rarely, if ever, found in stores, hydra species are nonetheless found almost globally in a variety of temperate and tropical freshwater habitats. Hydra in aquariums usually arrive as hitchhikers on plants.
  
     
 
 
== Sexing ==
 
== Sexing ==
:Unknown
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:Hydra species are not readily sexed, but as all species can reproduce asexually this is a moot point.
 
 
 
        
 
        
 
== Tank compatibility ==
 
== Tank compatibility ==
:Generally somewhat passive, but will eat fish eggs and fish fry. For its small size, avoid fish large enough to eat this invertebrate. Fish like [[Blue Gourami]]s will eat Hydra. Hydras have stinger-tentacles called nematocysts, which most cnidarians have. The nematocysts have stinging cells called cnidocytes which can even kill humans. But hydras' nematocysts generally are harmless to larger animals. Hydras use nematocysts to hunt.
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:Hydra species, like most Cnaridians, are carnivorous; they are infamous predators of eggs and small fry in spawning tanks, and of shrimplets in shrimp tanks. Conversely, certain fish, such as [[Blue Gourami]]es, will eat Hydra.
 
 
     
 
== Diet ==
 
:The Hydra is generally considered a carnivore but will steal food from other animals, like pellets and flakes.
 
 
 
     
 
== Feeding regime ==
 
:Feed 2-3 times a day.
 
 
 
 
        
 
        
 
== Environment specifics ==
 
== Environment specifics ==
:The Hydras really don't mind their environments, but generally will tolerate '''SOME''' brackish, barely 0.5% salinity. Though it's best to provide hydras with some hiding spots or basically mini-fish forests. Because hydras can hide from larger animals that will eat them.
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:Hydra are highly adaptable and can survive in most freshwater tanks; their appearance and proliferation can frequently be traced to overfeeding the tank's primary occupants, especially with small live foods like baby brine shrimp or microworms. Green hydra species are photosynthetic and do better if light is present.
 
 
 
        
 
        
== Behaviour ==
+
== Notes ==
:Generally peaceful, but will eat fish fry and fish eggs.
+
:Though they are not challenging aquarium inhabitants, Hydra species - the only freshwater cnaridians common in aquariums - are rarely kept for ornamental purposes; they are more often unwelcome hitchhikers, due to their propensity to hunt young fish and shrimp. Most aquarium keepers are more interested in eliminating them than keeping them as pets; medications that kill planaria are the most effective way to kill Hydras, as they are otherwise very resilient organisms that can withstand a variety of water conditions and breed rapidly in remotely optimal conditions.
  
     
 
== Identification ==
 
:Hydras look similar to their relatives, the Jellyfish and the Portugese man-o-war, except their body is slimmer and more rounded similar to the shape of a sausage, and their 7 nematocysts are thicker and shorter and pack a less deadly sting. Remember they are also '''WAY'', ''WAY''', smaller than their relatives.
 
  
 
        
 
        

Latest revision as of 21:13, 22 March 2020

HydraPolyp-78.jpg

Hydra magnipapillata

4 Litres (1 US G.)

0.2-1.3cm (0.09-0.5 ")

sg

Freshwater

pH

6 - 8

22.2-28.9°C (72 -84 °F)

0-15 °d

1:1 M:F

Carnivore
Pellet Foods
Flake Foods
Live Foods
Other (See article)

unknown-unknowen years

[[]]

Family

Hydridae




Origin[edit]

Rarely, if ever, found in stores, hydra species are nonetheless found almost globally in a variety of temperate and tropical freshwater habitats. Hydra in aquariums usually arrive as hitchhikers on plants.

Sexing[edit]

Hydra species are not readily sexed, but as all species can reproduce asexually this is a moot point.

Tank compatibility[edit]

Hydra species, like most Cnaridians, are carnivorous; they are infamous predators of eggs and small fry in spawning tanks, and of shrimplets in shrimp tanks. Conversely, certain fish, such as Blue Gouramies, will eat Hydra.

Environment specifics[edit]

Hydra are highly adaptable and can survive in most freshwater tanks; their appearance and proliferation can frequently be traced to overfeeding the tank's primary occupants, especially with small live foods like baby brine shrimp or microworms. Green hydra species are photosynthetic and do better if light is present.

Notes[edit]

Though they are not challenging aquarium inhabitants, Hydra species - the only freshwater cnaridians common in aquariums - are rarely kept for ornamental purposes; they are more often unwelcome hitchhikers, due to their propensity to hunt young fish and shrimp. Most aquarium keepers are more interested in eliminating them than keeping them as pets; medications that kill planaria are the most effective way to kill Hydras, as they are otherwise very resilient organisms that can withstand a variety of water conditions and breed rapidly in remotely optimal conditions.