|
|
Post by kagome on Jan 25, 2009 12:09:41 GMT -5
I've been wanting to add some Java ferns to my 38g tank but after doing some research I have seen some people say that some plecos will shred them. Has anyone successfully kept java ferns and plecoes together? My common pleco is about six inches long.
|
|
|
|
Post by murdock6701 on Jan 25, 2009 12:47:01 GMT -5
he'll dig it up every night just for fun if you don't tie the roots to something heavy
|
|
|
|
Post by kagome on Jan 25, 2009 16:00:29 GMT -5
I was planning to tie it to a pretty big rock. I was just wondering if he would eat the leaves.
|
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Jan 25, 2009 18:56:00 GMT -5
I was planning to tie it to a pretty big rock. I was just wondering if he would eat the leaves. I have had mixed results with Plecostomus and Java Ferns as per eating them. While I have not actually observed them eating the Java Ferns, I have seen mangled Java Ferns in the morning (or next visit to a client). However this is a sometimes thing. Sorry that this probably does not answer your question, but this is one of those subjective things that varies from fish to to fish IMO. Carl |
|
|
|
Post by kagome on Jan 25, 2009 22:21:11 GMT -5
I think I will give it a try. If he leaves them alone then I'll have beautiful plants in the tank. If not, well, then I can rest assured I gave him a nice midnight snack! lol
|
|
|
|
Post by murdock6701 on Jan 25, 2009 22:40:27 GMT -5
just make sure they're cleaned before you put them in the tank - don't want to end up like me w/ a million snails - I think he will do fine - he may batter it w/ his body, but I don't think he'll eat it up - knowing you he's got 4 flavors of wafers - LOL!
|
|
|
|
Post by kagome on Jan 26, 2009 10:42:43 GMT -5
Are you suggesting that I spoil my fish? Well you exaggerate, he only has two flavors of wafers! lol But then he does get zucchini, and romaine, and spinach, oooo and sometimes kale if I can find it. All organically grown of course. Wait, maybe you're right, I do totally spoil my fish!
|
|
|
|
Post by murdock6701 on Jan 26, 2009 11:30:06 GMT -5
think I'll come to your house for dinner.....
|
|
|
|
Post by kagome on Jan 27, 2009 0:46:11 GMT -5
Anytime  |
|
|
|
Post by Suzie Q (Lori) on Feb 11, 2009 12:25:17 GMT -5
Not sure if this is true or not...
I have a common Pleco and he leaves my Java alone. I have been told that Java (moss and fern) do not like a lot of light. I have to say that I am starting to agree. I have a mix of Highlight and low light plants in my 55g. I got lights from Carl and the Highlight plants are doing great but the java fern is not doing so well in the 55g. It is in direct light (no shade as I am being told it needs). I have 2-10g tanks with the SHO lights and both types of Java are doing great.
Anyone have any other experience?
|
|
|
|
Post by babygeige on Feb 11, 2009 16:36:44 GMT -5
Yes, java fern does not do as well with high light. If you have any floating plants, or tall plants in there that would provide shade for the java fern, it would probably be better. My handy plant book says to shelter it from light.
Before I upgraded the light in my 30 gallon, I had java fern in there and it just did not like the new light at all. I had to take it out and replace it with plants with a higher light tolerance.
Kagome, I also noticed that my plant book says that java fern leaves contain a chemical that deters herbivorous fish from eating it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Feb 11, 2009 16:45:56 GMT -5
Yes, java fern does not do as well with high light. If you have any floating plants, or tall plants in there that would provide shade for the java fern, it would probably be better. My handy plant book says to shelter it from light. Before I upgraded the light in my 30 gallon, I had java fern in there and it just did not like the new light at all. I had to take it out and replace it with plants with a higher light tolerance. Kagome, I also noticed that my plant book says that java fern leaves contain a chemical that deters herbivorous fish from eating it. I generally adjust my lights to have "light" and "dark" spots (this is easily accomplished with CFL or SHO lamps). I place low light plants in the dark areas. My problem I suspect with Plecostumus is that they simply churn these plants and destroy them by sheer abuse. Carl |
|
|
|
Post by Suzie Q (Lori) on Feb 12, 2009 14:22:42 GMT -5
I generally adjust my lights to have "light" and "dark" spots (this is easily accomplished with CFL or SHO lamps). I place low light plants in the dark areas. Carl In the 55g I fert with Flourish 2x a week. Lights are: 1 is Aqua Sky Full Spectrum...the other is Aqua Relle but I don't remember the K-Rating on them. I have Java in different areas of the tank and all of it is turning brown...it is producing baby plants but the adult is dying off (which could explain my very high nitrate levels in this tank). Lori |
|
|
|
Post by kagome on Feb 13, 2009 0:15:59 GMT -5
I had also heard that the Java Fern has a bad taste that keeps most fish from eating it but then I found and article that has pictures of a clown pleco that ate up all the java fern. Of course I have no idea if these people have enough algae in their tank to support the pleco or if he is fed extra stuff like algae wafers or if the poor thing is just so hungry that he's positively desperate and will eat just about anything to keep from starving. I saw pictures of the plant and it was definitely eaten up. I'll try and find that link again and post it.
Lori,
Do the baby plants seem to be thriving? I have moved plants from low light to high light (terrestrial plants, not aquatic) and had the old growth completely die off but new growth that was accustomed to the brighter light did just fine. I don't know if aquatic plants work the same way, it's just a thought. I would get the old dying stuff out of there as soon as possible. As long as the rhizome is intact the plant itself should be ok.
|
|
|
|
Post by kagome on Feb 13, 2009 0:22:42 GMT -5
I found the link that prompted me to ask about java ferns and plecos to begin with. I guess no one else on the boards has had the problem and I'm not going to use the lace variety so I think it's worth the risk. www.aqualandpetsplus.com/Decor%20Java%20Lance%20Fern.htmYou have to scroll down a bit to get to the part about the naughty pleco. BTW, not to brag or anything but my clown pleco is marked so much more nicely than the one in the picture. I keep trying to sneak up on him and get a picture to show you guys. |
|
|
|
Post by Suzie Q (Lori) on Feb 13, 2009 9:01:49 GMT -5
Now that I think about it...when I got the Java a lot of the "older" plant did die off and what I have now is younger plants. hmmm I think removing the older leaves and planing the babies that have detached from the adult would be a great idea!
Thanks kegome!!!
Lori
|
|
Or please consider a donation, even just $5 helps. If even 25% of users of this information donated just $5, it would be more income than one year of sales (currently less than 1/1000 of a % donate)
