Strange vine-like moss

fish999

I noticed this stuff in a bunch of incoming plants. I gathered it all together into one spot and I'm trying to ID it. There seem to be little "pods" that looked like seeds at first, but I also noticed very tiny structures extending out of the "seed pods" that look like little arms with maybe feathery ends. Reminds me of a barnacle or other shellfish that sifts the water for tiny bits of food. Anyone know what it is?

Attached Images

barnaclemoss1.jpg (94.5 KB, 24 views)

Angel079

That that string attached the the "buds" just about hair size and rather darker green then what's seen in this pictures?
I have seen this often coming with "used" plants that previously been invested with Hair/ Thread alage.

fish999

Yes it is a darker green in different light. There aren't any leaves or roots, just a long thin wandering vine with the 'pods' appearing on the underside. Small structures come out and go back in at various times. There was a tiny bit of hair algae in the plants also but appears unrelated. This stuff just seems to intertwine itself randomly with the plants, and the little pods look like they are gathering something from the water, like a barnacle or mussel. I thought it was very unique to see a plant gather it's food this way. It serves no useful decorative purpose, but the method of gathering sustenance is certainly interesting. I decided to call it "Barnacle Vine."

Angel079

LMAO...like I said I seen it only where hair algae is present...IMO that's directly related to one another.

fish999

Is it part of hair algae? I have no idea what it is and i've never seen it in any store or catalog.

Angel079

I really donno....like I said I only seen this before in tanks with hair algae present (or new plants with hair algae present)...can't tell ya what it is....just let it grow and see what happens