PLANTS BEEN EATEN

[SHANTYMAID]

Everytime i plant my 15g tank it is getting eaten, there seems to be a preference for a red and green striped plant have no idea what it is called. I had gold fish in there with my Tetra's, Gourami and 1 common Plec originally and the gold fish were definatly the guilty partys that time . I moved them to another tank thinking i would start all over again and replant but i cant believe it the same thing is happening again. I havent seen the plec at all on them except to clean the leaves occastionally so who's doing the eating?, any ideas would be gratefully recieved many thanks

 

[Erised]

What type of tetra?
Also, plecs tend to be active during the night, and a common plec LOVES plants ... so my bet's on him!

 

[Lateral Line]

Some tetras are rightly described as aquatic "lawn mowers" in that they will eat just about anything green, Silver Dollars, Bunoa Aires, etc. Quite a long list. The small tetras like Neons, Cardinals, Phantoms, etc., are not so inclined though.

You say red and green striped plant... that makes me wonder. Are you sure the plant is an aquatic plant and not a terrestrial plant that is simply rotting because it is underwater? Most true aquatics with red colouration require very high light levels and will not survive in low light environments, could also be a clue. A rotting plant will be eaten by a plec., although most plecs are not that bad at eatng healthy plants, not the smaller plec's anyway.

 

[SHANTYMAID]

The red and green stripped plant is definatly an a aquatic plant as i bought both plants on different occastions from different aquatic shops. The plant seems to be fairly ok at the top to middle but down by the root there is damage, the leaves are stripped of greenary and just the skeleton of the leaf is left. I have Serpae Tetra's could they be the culprits , i must say i havent seen any fish go near them in the day so of course in the night its chow down time . The plant is new with no rot at all any more info would be gratefully recieved thanks Shanna

 

[Dave_31]

I have seen many aquatic shops selling none aquatic plants!! do you have the name of the plant?

 

[steelhealr]

Hi..Buenos Aires tetras are REAL devils.....I had a banana plant sending up a beautiful shoot that I thought was maybe going to flower....he sawed it off overnight. LOL.....lawn mower INDEED. SH

 

[SHANTYMAID]

Sorry Dave have no idea what the plant is called but i know i wont be buying it again. If it isnt an aquatic plant does that mean that there is a chance that it could poison the fish. What do you reckon i ought to do with it leave it where it is or take it out, it isnt fouling the tank up at the moment anyway but i must admit it doesent look too pretty now.
Sorry to read about the banana plant Steel thats a real shame.

 

[Lateral Line]

It is true, a lot of completely inappropriate plants are sold for use in aquariums. The trouble is, most beginners aquariums are so poorly lit, none of the more exciting/colourful aquatics will grow anyway, so the dealers pass off anything that comes to hand.

For many years, "red hedge" was exported from Malaya, this was quite literally hedge clippings from peoples gardens, may still be in fact.

If a plant is not on the list at Tropica it is probably not worth buying. The list there will tell you what kind of light a plant requires to survive and an indication as to appropriate water chemistry.

As a rule of thumb, 2 Watts per gallon of full spectrum (5000K - 6700K), fluorescent light turned on for 10-12 hours a day will give you "Medium" light.

 

[SHANTYMAID]

Thank you for the information Lateral Line, i have just looked at the tube that i have in now it does'nt say the wattage i'm afraid. It is an Arcadia tube 24 inch tropical growth plant tube . I dont know if that is written on all tubes , it was one i had that came with the tank. The light is quite a strong light and it is on for approx 12 hours a day, the fern like plant which i bought the other day is quite a common one that i have seen around quite a few times. Must study up on those but it had buds on the end of each fern and it is already growing very quickly towards the light. I have been told that i will have to keep it in check as it spreads very quickly and it can over take the other follage.
My fish love it anyway