Star shaped on glass

[kleinfreak]

I have quite a few of these VERY tiny little things on the glass. Kinda look like star fish.
The size is almost exactly 0.5 mechanical pencil lead.

Anyone know what they are?

 

[Manofathousandpolyps]

Its a type of a hydroid (jellyfish family), and is infact the begining stages of a jellyfish. If you watch them very closely they will eventually start to move and detatch from the glass. You may see the very tiny jellies swimming around shortly afterwords.

I use to have these pop up every once in a while. From what Ive been told they dont hurt anything.

 

[fishfanatic2]

Jellies?!?

Cool!

 

[Manofathousandpolyps]

Ejnoy watching them while you can. They will detach and you catch a glimpse of them for just a bit before they just up and disappear.

 

[John_Brandt]

I think it may be the larval (medusa) stage of any of a great number of Cnidarians (hydroids, anemones, corals, jellyfish, etc.).

But is it really a jellyfish?

 

[Manofathousandpolyps]

I was able to watch mine very closely. They will start to pump every once in a while before they detach from the glass and you end up with a very tiny (about the size of a pin head) jellyfish. Looks and pumps just like a "normal" sized one, but very very small.

If you want to keep an eye on them Id suggest a magnifying glass.

 

[John_Brandt]

Gotcha, but do you realize that the medusa stage of the life cycle of many Cnidarians looks and acts exactly like a 'jellyfish'?

These may be jellyfish, but does anyone have any more info on these? I've seen what looks just like the animals in the photo in aquariums many times too.

 

[kleinfreak]

I've gone from a count of about 5 to about 100+ easy...Waiting for them to swim.

 

[Manofathousandpolyps]

but do you realize that the medusa stage of the life cycle of many Cnidarians looks and acts exactly like a 'jellyfish'?

Nope, wasnt aware of that.

 

[Anonymous]

And the polyp stage of many jellyfish looks just like a little coral polyp!

 

[Lostmind]

I have hundreds of these as well!

 

[kleinfreak]

I noticed yesterday, any time one of my fish catches a glimpse...they snack on them. Works for me.