Ummmm what the heck is this?

[iannarelli]

I saw these things sticking to the side of my sump, but they're also Capable of free swimming.... Any idea what they might be?


@ISpeakForTheSeas

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

I saw these things sticking to the side of my sump, but they're also Capable of free swimming.... Any idea what they might be?


@ISpeakForTheSeas

The one I saw swimming there was definitely a medusa-stage hydroid; I can't see the tentacles well enough to give a confirmed ID, but I'd guess Cladonema radiatum, as it's one of the most common species I see:

Exactly - Cladonema radiatum; a hydroid (I recognize the medusae, but I don't know if I've been able to ID the polyps before; it seems to be a match though):

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Cladonema-radiatum-Dujardin-1843-A-C-after-living-material-from-Brittany-D-after_fig11_229439247

 

[iannarelli]

The one I saw swimming there was definitely a medusa-stage hydroid; I can't see the tentacles well enough to give a confirmed ID, but I'd guess Cladonema radiatum, as it's one of the most common species I see:

This video is a little better, YouTube made me upload it as a short:

 

[iannarelli]

Here's a photo.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Here's a photo.

Yeah, looks like C. radiatum from what I can see. They typically go away in their own after a little while, but they may stick around if there's enough food (pods, baby brine shrimp, rotifers, etc.) for them to eat. They shouldn't cause issues for you while they're here from what I've seen.

 

[iannarelli]

Yeah, looks like C. radiatum from what I can see. They typically go away in their own after a little while, but they may stick around if there's enough food (pods, baby brine shrimp, rotifers, etc.) for them to eat. They shouldn't cause issues for you while they're here from what I've seen.

Thanks! I'll just let them be... Between my filter socks and my UV I'm sure they won't get out of hand.