Hydriods on SPS colony

[firebirdcrzy]

I noticed some little things attached to one of my SPS colonys today. Did some searching and found a picture of the exact same thing. I could not find any info on if there bad or even how to treat them. I am looking for any help/advice I can get.
Here is a pic I found online of the same thing i have.

 

[isseym328]

Tagging along. I picked up an aquacultured piece recently that had the same hydroids. AT first I didn't know what they were...didn't seem to be hurting the acro though.

 

[firebirdcrzy]

I located the source of the pic I posted. It acctually came from a RC member with screen name aztbs. Sounds like the hydroids died off and did no damage to the coral.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1480817&page=4

 

[SPSEMPIRE]

Usually they get deprived of a food source in captivity and end up dieing off.

 

[firebirdcrzy]

The wierd part is I have had this coral for over a year and it is the first time I have noticed the hydroids. I have not added anything new to the tank for a few months.

 

[SPSEMPIRE]

It is very likely that you could have gotten some larva in your tank, even on a frag. A lot of times they can spawn when the time / parameters are just right. Usually they end up dying off but double check to make sure that they are hydroids. The tails on AEFW can look like hyroids to the naked eye.

 

[firebirdcrzy]

The only thing I have done recently was 5 days ago I switched from 250w to 400w halides. I wonder if the more powerfull lights could of set off a spawn as this coral was down near the bottom of the tank, and is now getting pleanty of light.

 

[SPSEMPIRE]

it is possible that the lights could have increased the phytoplankton in the water column, basically providing more food for the hyroids. If so, it should just be a temporary situation and a couple of large water changes should help keep the numbers low.

 

[firebirdcrzy]

Thanks again, water change is scheduled for tomorrow anyways.