Fish are Friends not Food

Sorry for the late reply, been a bit busy but thanks for all the responses to this topic. In regards to plants that have been recorded to be eaten from this forum is Watersprite from GingerPride and Dwarf Sagg from MattyIce, so I'll keep that in mind. I do have swords and it's not bothered with them either and I could have watersprite if I float it. As for veg so far its nibbled carrot and cucumber and I'm trying courgette as I'm writing this. I know that I'm going to have to experiment with plants to see what works. I was looking to pick up some Valls as they're pretty bulletproof and I have a tall tank for their height. Crypts could be an option as an aquarium staff member from a garden center suggested it (and he had some knowledge on plants, shrimp and snails). As for the experiment not being conclusive, Yes I agree it's unfair test to put a java fern cutting in the middle of the tank. It was healthy and had a root system unfortunately the roots are placed under the black pebble so it didn't blow around the tank. I'm not silly enough to pluck leaves from the fern because I can tell you they will decay and the snail will do it job. Trust me the piece was fine and came away form the mother plant which is why I tried the experiment. I have this pic of the plant and I know its neglected but there's it's roots. I hope this has reassured you Kat_Rigal, as I didn't want to use the main plant because ferns take so long to grow and I like my plants just as much as my fish. But at least my snail is not a plant destroyer like the Black Devil Snail (apparently). -FAFNF .

Another one people try is Lucky Bamboo. I have some in my guppy fry tank as the tank itself is too low tech for any other plants but it keeps the Nitrates more manageable.

Oh also forgot, Shrimp love Marimo Moss balls just roll them against the glass to keep them round every now and then.

Hello Karen, You should be able to grow java moss on the mesh if you can't grow any other carpeting plant. I don't know if marine lights are lights are different for freshwater plants so you'll have to wait for someone more experienced to reply. I did start my hobby on low tech so defiantly get yourself some Anubius, nana or bartri (big) There super easy and dont really need fertilizing, just try not bury the roots as it likes to be attached to things. There are websites and videos on low tech plants so try them. Java moss doesn't really require ferts just trim it and it should come back thicker. Floating plants require a bit more light in my opinion but try water lettuce and try not lets splash back of bubbles get inside the plant which causes rot (but it's banned in the States so if you live there you'll have to look into it). Amazon frogbit is your next floater but it will need moderate light so see if other plants are growing then try it. dont let water sit on top this plant either. Your last option is Duckweed but this is the herpes of all aquarium plants SO ADD THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK, you will not get it out again. it multiplies fast but it may block out light for other plants. Some recommend anacharis, (waterweed/elodea) as a low tech floater but mine broke into pieces so I cringe every time I see it but it grows well in my pond and it doesn't like to be planted so weigh it down instead. Same with Hornwort. Water sprite is good for shrimp and can be floated or anchored down. make sure your water flow is steady and doesn't send it flying across the tank, needs trimming sometimes. Pearl weed is considered low tech but can be delicate so plant the basket in the water after acclimating it first. I've never had any. And if all else fails try to attach some pothos, (money plant, Devils ivy) in the tank. just the roots have to be submerged, either place it it the hang on the back filter cartridge or let it hang near the lid. Its an acquired taste but this is a hardy house plant that will take low room light. It is a sponge for absorbing nutrients so it can starve out other plants Here is a link from one of the mods, Candi, about pearl weed https://www.aquariumcoop.com/blogs/aquarium/how-to-plant Anyway give these a go and if you get die back or the plant stretches out for the light, lose it's leaves or comes out the gravel too many times then it's the light. these plants are low tech but if you feel the need to give them a boost then pick up some easy green and use it appropriately as you dont want excessive algae. I believe it shrimp safe but check anyway. Sorry for the rambling and Goodluck. FAFNF

UPDATE Well I have some unfortunate news about the snail. No it's not dead but it does eat java fern. I tried my little experiment with a piece of fern that came away from the main plant and placed it on the bottom of the substrate. I also tried to tempt my cute snail with a boiled piece of carrot, it was interested but didn't eat any. The fern is in the back of the carrot photo absolutely fine. Day 2 I get up, do a few water tests, feed the fish, look down at my java fern aaaaaand it's half eaten. By the way I don't have anything in this tank that will stomach java fern as I just have two nerites, two cory's and handful of guppies. Now I'll have to guess if plants will be hardy or unappetizing for this snail. On a side not this thing slurps blood worms up like spaghetti so I might give it an Italian name. /

Hello Savanna, A word of advice on Pothos, this plant is extremely good at filtering Nitrates but it also can be TOO good at filtering the nutrients out of the tank. This can starve your other plants out as the pothos absorbs it quicker than they can. I'm not bashing pothos as it's a wonderful tool for aquariums and adds a different feature to the tank. If it's stealing the nutrients out of the water column then it wont just be your java fern leaves that are looking unusual. Monitor all your plants and try to get a balance on fertilizing. Goodluck, FAFNF

Hello Kenneth, This is just my opinion but personally I think it's still a bit on the small side. I feel you should let it get a few more leaves and roots. While your waiting for a while, (cuz java ferns are slow growers) I would look into propagation methods. I believe you can cut the rhizome with scissors in the middle of the plant to get two. But people like to make sure there are at least 3 or 4 leaves on the cutting. When the plant is really mature little baby ferns grow on the tips of the leaves like spider plants. Yours is doing well I'm wondering how you acquired that piece? Anyway they're are tons of websites and YT vids on java care, oh you can trim the dying leaves on ferns it encourages new ones. Goodluck, FAFNF

Awesome, like I say never had them and I would have never thought of capsules, the only thing that might get iffy is the roots becoming pot bound but I'd worry about that when you get there. After all you've got the plant thus the future experience. Good luck!

Hello San I would do a background search on the care level for your plants. horn wort, water wisteria and amazon swords are good plants to begin with in terms of lighting but swords do benefit from root tabs and can get pretty big. Bacopa in my experience needs moderate light and fertilizer. Ludwigia if it's red will need an iron supplements and some have grown it under low light. Ludwigia repens will be your go to species. Anacharis looks like water weed here in the UK and ours breaks to bits in a low tech tank so you might be better letting it float instead of planting it or increase the light. Most of these plants don't need Co2 and would benefit from a good fert but you will need to find a balance of lighting and fertilizing because you don't want an algae boom. You could look a low tech plants like Anubias (don't bury their roots), Java ferns, Cryptocoryne, Java Moss and Guppy grass, they don't need Co2. But other than that you'll have to experiment or do further research. Good luck. FAFNF

Hello Jerseychef If you want true floater plants then I would have to say they would require moderate lighting otherwise they might just break apart. I tried growing Amazon Frog bit in low tech but it was barely surviving. I haven't got a hold of water sprite yet so go for it if others approve. Some float java moss as its very low tech. If your daring enough you could try duck weed but once this plant goes in you're never getting rid of it so SERIOUSLY add it at your own risk. Goodluck, FAFNF

Hello Madmike With some experience with corys I would have to say it depends on substrate, Cory catfish and tank setup. I have a fine sandy substrate and my bronze corys love sieving face deep so I have no carpeting plants at the mo but I do have amazon sword (they haven't pulled it up). If you have one of the smaller Cory varieties, clever plant placement and a tenacious attitude you might be able to do it, but that's a big MIGHT. Another idea is a mesh plate they use to propagate java moss on. They stretch it on, tie it with fishing line, nylon or super glue then trim it and ta-da! a low tech carpeting plant. look into it if your desperate and your corys have left you all outta options. Good luck, FAFNF

Hello Fran. Regarding the water lily I believe people let it sprout to figure out which is top and bottom. Then you'll want to get rid of the wool rock gently if there are roots involved. finally they bury the roots but leave the bulb above the substrate so it doesn't rot. but I've never owned one so take my word with a grain of salt and definitely research it. as for pearl weed I've found mixed reviews as some people have have had melt back to complete plant death so I can't really give advise on that one. Some say to acclimate your plant for a week or two then remove the wool rock and plant into substrate, Good luck. As for stocking plants in tanks I'd say as long as each plant is getting it's share of nutrients, lighting and root space (if they're buried) then experiment and research. The only limit is your tank size :)

Thanks for the reply Fonske Maybe these snails get a bad rap or have different personalities. I will admit I'm a little paranoid when I saw it making a B line for my ferns. But if it is trying to clean off the algae/bio film the I'll drop them back to the substrate. As for feeding it veg I blanched either beetroot leaves or romaine lettuce (can't remember) but my guppies stripped it completely. I'll try carrots, cucumber and courgette (the Americans call it zucchini, we Brits don't have it) Thanks, FAFNF

Thanks for your reply Ben, The only way I'll know it was after the algae is too put a few of my baby ferns down on the substrate and wait. At the moment I've raised the larger one onto rocks to keep them out the way. I might go with my little experiment. When I purchased the rabbit I can definitely say it was attached to the java fern and people have said online they can go to town on ferns. I do have two Nerites because I wouldn't have pegged Rabbit snails as heavy algae eaters but this is my first one. Anyway I standby Thanks again FAFNF.

Hello I have bought a wonderful rabbit snail, but I caught it nibbling at my java ferns and after a quick google search they tend to have a appetite for ferns. I was wondering If anyone can tell me if they will try to eat other plants. I know Anubias isn't tempting enough but are there any others, personally I don't want to risk it as aquarium plants can be a bit pricey here in the UK. I have done research but this isn't exactly a broad topic. (this is my first time on a forum so I hope I'm doing this correctly.) Kind regards.