jesp Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 (edited) Alright, here is the mystery. I have a planted 33 gallon tank. Crypts, anubias, java fern, wisteria, pennywort, etc. Victims: the newly sprouting leaves of my anubias', the older leaves of my wisteria, and an unknown broad leafed plant in its entirety. Suspects: 3 kribs, female 3 red rainbows 4 Julidochromis transcriptus (temps) 2 Synodontis multipunctatus (temps) 1 killifish 1 Pseudomugil Furcata (dwarf rainbow) 1 common pleco So who done it? And can I stop it? Edited July 24, 2009 by jesp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishclubgirl Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 I'm no Horatio Kane but my money's on the pleco. You could try algae wafers or try relocation of the fish, IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeadGF Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 I'd put money on the pleco. Here you get the Pseudomugil Furcata? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KTK Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 Im on board with the pleco. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jesp Posted July 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 Are there plecos that won't munch on my plantlets or am I going to have to just say goodbye? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 Some plecos don't eat much plant matter at all - some eat mostly wood, while some eat mostly invertibrates. You can do some homework and hunting to find what you want in a pleco. A pleco that stays small, doesn't seem to damage plants, yet still eats some algae is the Clown Pleco - fairly readily availilbe and inexpensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
werner Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 Are the edges of the plants bitten? If it was the pleco, you would probably see holes rasped in the surfaces of the leaves rather than the tips. I have had tetras eat new Anubias leaves, so I wouldn't rule out any of the other fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baos Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 I've seen my bristlenose pleco sucking on plant leaves. Or the algae on them. Never seen it do any noticeable damage. But he has more algae than he knows what to do with right now and most of it isn't on the glass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishclubgirl Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 I have 15-20 bn in heavily planted tanks with no damage to the plants. They do get algae wafers when I remember and I always have driftwood for them too. Love them!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jesp Posted July 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 Are the edges of the plants bitten? If it was the pleco, you would probably see holes rasped in the surfaces of the leaves rather than the tips. I have had tetras eat new Anubias leaves, so I wouldn't rule out any of the other fish. The Wisteria is kind of chewed up all over the place, it is hard to tell with that type of leaf. The anubias leaves are getting bitten in HALF as they are growing upwards in a little bundle before they even open up. When they do open up they are already mostly gone, but after they are open, they are never bothered again. Looks like a rabbit hopped by and bit the end off......... Anyone have suggestions on plecos? I am probably going to be getting one from fairdeal in the next month or so, but I have not picked one. I want a nicely colored/ patterned one that is going to stay small and leave my plants alone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted July 25, 2009 Report Share Posted July 25, 2009 Clown Pleco is my vote for your tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aiki-guy Posted July 25, 2009 Report Share Posted July 25, 2009 I'd say go for a bristlenose plec... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aiki-guy Posted July 25, 2009 Report Share Posted July 25, 2009 I'd say go for a bristlenose plec, they only get 5" or so, and mine's never trashed my plants... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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