Pruning...

[baz_78]

I'm new to fishkeeping and have got a small tank in which i planted a few plants to provide some foliage for my fish!!

I don't know exactly what plants I have in my tank - I asked at my LFS for hardy plant my fish wouldn't eat! I'll try and post some pictures later for identification.

Are there any tips for pruning as a couple of my plants are growing too well and crowding the tank...

Thanks,
Barry

 

[kenneth_kpe]

Hi barry, depends on the plant type, if it is a sword plant, removing the whole leaf would be the choice for most stem plants i think, for stem plants simply trim them off post pics of the plants or simple describe em

 

[baz_78]

Thanks for the tip Kenneth - I pretty much did that last night anyway!!!

Here's a couple of pics of my plants in case anyone can identify them... Sorry for the poor quality, was my first attempt at fish photography!

Overall Tank

And the quick growing one...

 

[jimbooo]

hi Baz,

the one on the left with white edges is non aquatic (it's a houseplant) and will die in the next 6 weeks or so. the central one is an amazon sword possibly echinodorus bhleri. the fast grower it eugina densa (definatly spelt wrong, sorry)

the eugina densa (sorry again) just chop off the tops and let them float. then in a few days plant the floating bits to produce more stems.

the amazon sword prune as per ken's post above

the non aquatic needs to come out as it will rot and foul the water this is quite usual to be sold these in fish stores as they are used in coldwater tanks for goldfish (which will eat anything else) for that use you would replace it every 6-8 weeks. it really shouldn't be in a tropical tank at all.

no aquatic plant has white on it apart from the surface flowers. avoid them in the future if i were you.

i hope that helps

james

edit i've just noticed in the very front left you have another plant. i think it's an anubias but hard to see. if it is an anubias it should be tied to a rock or wood and not buried in the gravel.

 

[baz_78]

the non aquatic needs to come out as it will rot and foul the water this is quite usual to be sold these in fish stores as they are used in coldwater tanks for goldfish (which will eat anything else) for that use you would replace it every 6-8 weeks. it really shouldn't be in a tropical tank at all.

edit i've just noticed in the very front left you have another plant. i think it's an anubias but hard to see. if it is an anubias it should be tied to a rock or wood and not buried in the gravel.

Hi James,

Thanks for the identifications and tips!!

I'll whip out the houseplant tonight and try potting it up!!! I'm a bit annoyed (well, very annoyed) that I was sold it as appropriate for my set-up. It was one of my favourites as well...

I was concerned about the anubias as it hasn't been doing too good. I'll take it out of the gravel and tie it doan as you suggest.

Cheers,
Barry