White four armed tree like structures on sides of aquairum-what are they?

I have a 10 gallon dirt, planted shrimp tank. It has a sponge filter, been going for over two months. It has the standard hood with two plant lights and all low/medium light plants. The RCS are doing fine eating and breeding. Recently on the sides of the tank I noticed these white spots and looking closer I can see they look like a trunk attached to the glass with four arms coming out the free end. They are multiplying but not too fast. They don't seem to move of course but I have no idea what they are and if they will go away. The shrimp do not seem concerned with them or even eat them. Any ideas? I don't have a macro lens for my camera so I cannot take a photo of them.

Thank you!

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Permalink Reply by Robert Jango on March 31, 2012 at 10:23pm

They're called Hydra. Here's a link that may help: http://freshaquarium.about.com/od/problemsolving/p/How-To-Combat-Th...

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Permalink Reply by breathekindness on April 1, 2012 at 9:24am

thank you but that sucks. I am sure they came in on the plants I bought and I really cannot catch all the shrimp to heat the tank! Ok, well, we will work on this! Thanks again!

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Permalink Reply by Alex on April 5, 2012 at 9:01am

Do not kill or squash them just remove them and dispose of them. They regenerate themselves as a Plant would. Gouramis will eat them. Not a major problem anyway. Good luck.