Wood Plants

[Themuleous]

Hey All

Since my naughty ottos eat one of my anubias was wondering if there are any plants other than anubias and java fern that can be attached to bogwood? I.e. that don't need to be buried in the substrate? Oh and not moss or riccia either cant be dealing with the extra maintenance! Well actually unless you guys think some xmas or java moss would look cool on that bit of the wood? Can always just replace the lost anubais but since I have the opportunity thought it might be cool to have something different?

The aunbias thats gone is the large one on the top left

Thanks

Sam

 

[jarmado]

windelov?

 

[MoreCoffee]

Sam,

Are you sure the Anubias was eaten by one of your Otto's !

Seems very unlike an Otto. I've got 6 and whilst they often clean the leaves of any algae growth (even stuff that I cant see) they have never damaged even the most delicate plants.

.... If it was your Otto's, I'll have to keep a closer eye on mine !

Al

 

[lljdma06]

Sam,

Are you sure the Anubias was eaten by one of your Otto's !

Seems very unlike an Otto. I've got 6 and whilst they often clean the leaves of any algae growth (even stuff that I cant see) they have never damaged even the most delicate plants.

.... If it was your Otto's, I'll have to keep a closer eye on mine !

Al

I'm in agreement with Mr. G. You must have some Satanic otos roaming your tank Sam, I've never seen one eat a plant, especially an anubia. Even cichlids barely touch those! As for another possible plant for wood, have you considered Bolbitis heudelotii, the African fern? That might do well, especially if it's near the filter current. I have some bolbitis in both of my tanks and I like them a lot.

Back to the anubia. You know, a lot of times, LFSs place their anubias in the substrate, which is not good. Their leaves may look great, but the rhizome can be damaged. One of mine was purchased that way, and though I thought it was healthy at the LFS, upon inspection at home, the rhizome was rotted partly. Sometimes they can recover if the damage isn't bad, but the damage was too extensive in that particular anubia and the rotting spread, despite my best efforts. As the rhizome rots, the leaves fall out, very sad, really. I showed them the rotten rhizome and got my money back, since my other anubias in my tank were super healthy. A healthy rhizome, even without leaves and few roots will develop into a new plant. I managed to divide one of my nanas into 5 plants by just cutting the rhizome. But if the rhizome is unhealthy, there is little hope for the plant. This has just been my experience with anubias. Too bad really, I liked that anubia in your tank, but I don't think it was the otos. Sorry for the rambling.

llj

 

[france]

actually llj, you're rambling may have touched on something. What if Sam's Anubias was damaged and rotting? Otto's don't usually eat plants, but I think they would eat a rotting plant. I would try putting in another Anubias, but one which is def. healthy, just to see if the Otto's eat it.

 

[MoreCoffee]

actually llj, you're rambling may have touched on something. What if Sam's Anubias was damaged and rotting? Otto's don't usually eat plants, but I think they would eat a rotting plant. I would try putting in another Anubias, but one which is def. healthy, just to see if the Otto's eat it.

I had similar thoughts after lljdma06's post.
If the rhizome or leaf stem were damaged whilst being attached to the wood, then once it softened up the Otto's would probably find it quite tasty ! The rest of Sam's plants look nice and healthy (as usual).

If the Otto's were eating damaging plants, I'm sure the more delicate plants would get hit first and I doubt they'd just eat one anubias and leave the others untouched .....of course they may be saving the rest for later, but fish are not usually that organised

Al

 

[zig]

Pelia could look good in your tank, another option is Bolbitis heudelotii, this is a water fern, a very nice plant, another option would be narrow leaf ferns although i have had better luck with narrow leaf fern in highlight setups.

All of these will do well in low light tanks, Pelia does not grow roots as such but its in no way comparable to riccia, not anyway near as messy.

Thats all i can think of right now.

Oh yeah if "Freddy Starr ate my hamster" was true, im sure ottos can eat anubias as well

 

[Themuleous]

Well, well, I see I have started a little something here. The long and the short of it, I thin Llj is right, the plant was pot grown and not in the substrate but you may very well be right about the rotten rhizome and the ottos eating it cos of that. The other anubias seem fine so think I'll put it down to a duff plant. Still guess I've learned something here

As to what to replace it with, I am actually thinking a moss of some sort not sure yet need to research the suggestions you guys have made and see what I can find.

Just out of interest, Zig, the pelia, do you know how to transplant it? It comes on rood or a rock when you by it I think, so not really sure how to attach it to the wood, any suggestions? Was going to try something similar with the moss/liverwort thing I've got in my nano. Does anyone know how fast pelia grows?

Thanks for all the suggestions and the otto advice, I was surprised when it happened as I know they are not known for eating plants but they are my first load so I haven't got any first hand experience. Will keep checking the other anubias and see what happens. Will let you know what I decide to replace it with. If any ones interested, the sags are taking off now, lots of new leaves, etc so hopefully I'll have a nice carpet in a few months. Update pics to follow as and when of course

Cheers

Sam

 

[zig]

Sam you just tie the Pellia as you would tie moss or Riccia, its not a fast grower i suppose medium would describe it better, but its easy to grow hard to go wrong with it, although it does not like flourish excel in my experience.

 

[Themuleous]

Oh right cheers Zig, perhas give it a try.

 

[MoreCoffee]

I tried Pellia tied to a rock once ... It looked great, but seemed to be very fragile and would break easily if moved or during tank cleaning, even my Corydoras managed to regularly break bits off when they were rooting around. Maybe mine was lacking something like Flourish excell ?

A nice looking plant, but I gave up in the end !

Al

 

[Themuleous]

Oh right, cheers Mr G, think I might give it a try and see what happens, the best knowledge is learnt first hand after all (great line for my sig actually...) think I might even have it covering the whole of the wood, well in a year perhaps, see how it goes!

Sam

 

[Themuleous]

I think Ive decided that Im going to cover the wood in moss, just wondering what peoples thoughts were on what type, could get java or xmas? Or do you think the pellia would be cool looking and also a bit different?

Thanks

Sam

 

[madcaow]

sorry for the hijack. but how long does it take usually for plants like anubias (any variety) to attach themselves?? ive got a nice big Anubias Barteri that i have tied down to a rad piece of wood. just wondering how long it would be before it has stuck itself down?

h

 

[MoreCoffee]

I think Ive decided that Im going to cover the wood in moss, just wondering what peoples thoughts were on what type, could get java or xmas? Or do you think the pellia would be cool looking and also a bit different?

Thanks

Sam

Sam,

Personally I'd go for Xmas or weeping moss if you can get them..... not easy to get hold of though !

I'm currently trying to find some to use in my new tank ..... last time I had to order from Singapore. It worked out a bit expensive, but looks great.

Tropica do Xmas moss and Pellia, but I think you can only buy the moss already attached to bogwood.
Birstall should be able to order either of them.

Pity you're not using the Anubias, they're nice plants.

Al