Plants being eaten! eeek!

[LiveMermaid07]

Hi! :)

I recently (2, 3? weeks ago) planted some java ferns in with the minnows and betta. At first everyone took a few nips (even the betta! lol), but then they just ran around them, but over the last several days I've noticed that now 1/3 of my ferns have been eaten! I feed them small amounts 2 or 3 times a day (depending on my schedule). I thought I was feeding them enough (they certainly poop enough, lol). Any thoughts as to why they might be doing this and how can I dissuade them?

Thanks! :)

[jpappy789]

Java fern is rather bitter tasting to even strict herbivores, so I doubt its actually being eaten.

Most likely its something else. A pic would help!

What size tank?
Lighting?
Any addition nutrients added? Co2?

[LiveMermaid07]

For the moment it's in a 3 1/2 gallon bucket (I'm attempting to get an 18.5 g soon)
There's 3 sets of fern (orginally had 2 -4 leaves each) tied to rocks.
Until yesterday was only room lighting - flourecent bulb. Now I have a 60 watt incandescent floor lamp about 4 feet above and to the side. No added nutrients, no Co2. One air stone and until this morning (had to throw it out) had a filter, by tetra I think.
Attempting to get pic...
um, how do I post a pic?
(Lol at self) :)

[jpappy789]

1) If you hit post "reply" or "go advanced" there should be a button underneath where you type that says "manage attachments"...you can upload photos that way.

2) If you have a image hosting site like photobucket, click the insert image link (looks like a mountain and sun) and enter the pic's url.

[LiveMermaid07]

Thanks.

Bitter? I was wondering what it tasted like. ;)
I had seen them nibbling on it, so I figured it was them.


:newbie:

__
I would have zoomed in further, but apparently lil sis has been busy deleting or moving the only photoshopping applications I'm familiar with. :/
(Also why it took so long to get back, took an hourish to upload since I couldn't make them smaller.)
Unfortunately you can't really see it in the pics, but the middle pic top right leaf has -what looks like - bite marks.

[jpappy789]

Looks more like nutrient deficiencies to me...

http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_nutrient.htm

[NYCguppydude]

You sure there aren't any snails in there? Looks as if something is eating at your plants and the only culprit I can think of is a hitchhiking snail. Snail eggs,or babies could have come in with the plants.

[KarlTh]

Java fern are toxic and fish don't eat them, with very few exceptions. I think there's a very poor lighting issue here. A 40 watt incandescent bulb isn't very much at all.

[customdrum]

yeah it looks more like die off than eaten.

[Wycco]

Most minnows are fairly active little fish that like company and 3½ gallons isn't much room to swim around in- if you see them attacking the plant could they just be bored and shredding the plant for play rather than trying to eat it.

[majortank]

Isn't 60 watts for a 3gal bucked a little much? thats like 20 watts per gallon... that could be whats hurting that plant.

[Wycco]

According to the OP it's not directly above the tank and some distance away... oh and the WPG rule is for Florescents not incandescents...

I doubt it is too much lighting... I'd be surprised if it is too LITTLE lighting either though... this is Java Fern after all- the stuff grows in some people's tanks that have just ambient room lighting. There could be some other water condition giving the plants stress and making them unhealthy...

... Small spaces are known to raise aggression in fish- I think the minnows are just taking it out on the plants... better that than the Betta I suppose.

I suspect when he gets the larger tank things will improve for the poor plants.

[LiveMermaid07]

Almost 100% sure no snails.
I changed the water, and cleaned the sides, cut off the worst of the leaves. Unfortunately it might be a while before I can get a fertilizer, hope they last that long. I find it a little strange that the ferns in containers with fish water and no fish are growing better. ?
A few hours after cleaning all the minnows were dead. Last night the betta from thier died too.
No more attacking the plants. :*(
I did an even more throrough cleaning of it this afternoon, before the betta died. No snails were found, or any other guests (at least visible ones.)


I suppose the 14.5g tub I got would be big enough for the one betta remaining, I think I'd still like to switch it for the 18.5g though.
I figure after adding gravel and leaving a few inches at the top, the 14.5g might be more like 10- 12g of actual water. Do you think this is big enough for one betta, maybe 5 neons and (#?) a few shrimp?
With everybody else gone I guess I can take my time getting the new one ready. :(

[LiveMermaid07]

Thanks for ya'll's help btw. :)