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Who ate my plants?

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488 views 1 reply 2 participants last post by  PlantedRich  
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#1 ·
I just got some new Hydrocotyle Japan that I was really excited about. Luckily I split it between two tanks, because someone in my 40 gallon decimated it within 8 hours, tops. It is completely gone, and this was a really nice sized clump. No one has ever touched the crypts, java ferns, apongeton, pennywort, or anubias in the tank - but I can see how the hydrocotyle might be more appetizing than these with it's light and feathery nature just calling out to be eaten.

Anyway, the suspects are: adult keyhole cichlid, mature cherry barbs, juvenile gold barbs, or juvenile leopard danios. I would never suspect either of my sweet Otos.

I'm leaning towards the gold barbs, but I didn't think they were known for being big plant munchers - any ideas?
 
#2 ·
Keyhole cichlid is an omnivore!

Definition:
An omnivore is an animal that eats both plants and animals for their main food. Pigs are omnivores, so they would be just as happy eating an apple, or the worm inside the apple. Omnivore comes from the Latin words omni, meaning "all, everything," and vorare, meaning "to devour."

So if there is a lot of plant mass missing, I would look for a larger fish to have been eating? I find this is especially prone to happen when a new type plant is added. As it is new, the more thinking fish will want to find out a basic question. Is it good to eat? Once the salad bar is open, several may help themselves.
 
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