Which fish is eating my plants?

[Superdave]

Hi guys,
I'm officially transitioned from plastic plants to live ones in my Amazon tank.  Last week I finished it off by adding 4 new plants.  Yesterday, I noticed fish-mouth shaped holes in my Amazon sword plant, and other plants have been nibbled on.  I have 2 green severum and one very small Jack Dempsey.  Can I find out who my culprit is?  Is there a good plant that is resistant or fast-growing enough to survive this onslaught???

[Mzungu]

Re: Which fish is eating my plants?

I'd go with the severums. Maybe someone else will know for sure.

What plants besides the amazon sword do you have in there? With plant-eating fish, I've always had luck with java fern and java moss. Apparently they don't taste too great...

[szidlon]

Re: Which fish is eating my plants?

I have a tank of Africans and they pretty much leave my Anubius, Java Fern and Bolbitas alone.  My guess would be the Jack Dempsey so between the two posts, that pretty much covers all three of your fish

[Mzungu]

Re: Which fish is eating my plants?

 Yeah, I've heard that South and Central American cichlids can be pretty brutal on plants...

Usually swords can survive, though, once they really start growing. I have one that is constantly picked on, but it pops out a new leaf every two or three days, so it's also constantly renewed. Are you using CO2? What kind of lighting do you have? It can also be a matter of having an environment that's supportive for fast growth.

Also, I don't know if this works for fish, but I remember when I had apple snails and they were eating my plants, a supplementation of lettuce or spinach every couple days really deterred them from demolishing my plants.

[szidlon]

Re: Which fish is eating my plants?

Plus, if they're not eating them, they're digging them up when they redecorate the substrate for you.  I fuss at mine, they simply stare back at me, then spit a piece of gravel at me   .

[Superdave]

Re: Which fish is eating my plants?

LOL szidlon...they do tend to dig a lot, but I can handle that, even when they get snooty.  Hopefully my sword will take off.  I also have java fern, two types of long skinny grasses, and something that looks like hydrilla.  Sorry I don't know the names yet; I'm still learning.

I haven't even considered CO2.  I'm sure it's expensive and I am just getting into plants.  I guess I figure with the air bubbles there should be a constant supply of CO2.  Is it part of a filter or a separate system?

[wesleydnunder]

Re: Which fish is eating my plants?

It's the Severums eating them. They're major vegetarians.

Mark

[szidlon]

Re: Which fish is eating my plants?

LOL szidlon...they do tend to dig a lot, but I can handle that, even when they get snooty.  Hopefully my sword will take off.  I also have java fern, two types of long skinny grasses, and something that looks like hydrilla.  Sorry I don't know the names yet; I'm still learning.

I haven't even considered CO2.  I'm sure it's expensive and I am just getting into plants.  I guess I figure with the air bubbles there should be a constant supply of CO2.  Is it part of a filter or a separate system?

I'm new to plants myself.  I've started out with a DIY system but will probably spend the money and get the pressurized system.  Unless I'm completely wrong, your air bubbles are not a source of CO2.  I'll leave the technical information to the experts.

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Which fish is eating my plants?

If you have air bubbles and you didn't set up co2 then what you are doing is agitating the water surface and dispersing co2 from the water not into the water.

I have a diy setup and plan to switch to pressurized real soon, less hassle and much cleaner.

...and I think you could probably pick eater fish and be right about it eating your plants.

[Mzungu]

Re: Which fish is eating my plants?

Well, from the list of your plants, it sounds like once they get established, they'll do fine. The hydrilla stuff is probably anacharis, and that will grow like a weed. Java fern probably won't be touched by the fish. The two grasses might be Vals, and if so, they will also grow like weeds. So, all in all, your plants should be pretty tolerant of some nibbling, IMO.

I just mentioned CO2 in case your plants were of the tasty-yet-hard-to-grow category. And yes, the bubbles (from an air stone, I assume?) aren't CO2. If you're really concerned, like eklikewhoa said, yes, technically you're helping CO2 leave the water. But, your plants tend to do really well in low-maintenance systems. I wouldn't worry about any extra expenses right now!  :)

[Superdave]

Re: Which fish is eating my plants?

Thanks Mzungu...upon further investigation, I do have valisneria, but it is not establishing well.  It has a few new shoots, but they're not really "shooting."  Anacharis sounds familiar, but I'm not sure if that's the one.  How fast does java fern grow?  It's a small plant.  I was expecting to have rather lush vegetation in my aquarium, but I guess it will simply take some time.

[Mzungu]

Re: Which fish is eating my plants?

Java fern isn't too terribly fast growing. Make sure you have it attached to driftwood or something similar. And yes, the lush vegetation will take some time.  :)  But you'll get there, those are some really hardy plants you have. Anacharis (or Elodea) is really close to hydrilla.

That's great that your vals have some new shoots, good sign. What kind of lights do you have over the tank?