Allelochemicals?

Ranger

Ranger

AC Members
Jun 20, 2001
117
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18
Everett, WA
Anyone have any opinions or insights into Allelochemicals?

From what I briefly understand they are; chemicals produced by plants that inhibit the growth of other plants and algae. These "allelopathic" chemicals may cause mysterious incompatibilities in the aquarium.

One more reason for regular water changes?
 
Here's an article I found:

http://www.agnet.org/library/bc/45016/

It makes sense that some aquatic plants would develop a toxic defense against herbivorous plants, terrestrial plants do this all the time.

edit: There's a whole body of literature about piscicidal plants, apparently it's a big area of research for fish farmers in SE Asia.
I'm guessing it would be pretty rare for something that has a toxic effect on fish to make it into the aquarium trade, unless it hitchiked.
 
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I dont think it has ever been established that they could build up in any quantifiable levels to actually cause any damage in the wild or in our aquariums. It would have to be relatively potent stuff since it would instantly be diluted from the get go.
 
anacharis is supposed to have allelochemicals. but i've heard of lakes of anacharis that have algae completely covering it. i suppose that it does something to a point and only on certain algaes. i wouldn't rely on putting a plant in that has allelochemicals in your tank and rely on that for algae control
 
whoops, i was thinking piscocidal (fish killing) allelochemicals. As for algae, I think your best defense is a good offense. The tried and true method of using fast growing stem plants to simply outcompete the algae for nutrients.
 
I remember talking to lfs guy about vals vs sag. He said there was thought to be a possible chemical inhibition (allelopathy) that keeps the 2 plants separated from each other in tanks, they spread toward each other but don't intermix. An interesting idea, I don't know if it's true, neither did he.
 
fishorama said:
I remember talking to lfs guy about vals vs sag. He said there was thought to be a possible chemical inhibition (allelopathy) that keeps the 2 plants separated from each other in tanks, they spread toward each other but don't intermix. An interesting idea, I don't know if it's true, neither did he.
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LOL I just tore out all the sags and vals in my 180. They will indeed intermix. I have pics if anybody wants to see.
 
Diana Walstad's book: The Ecology of the Planted Aquarium has a chapter dedicated to this. It is true and some plants can inhibit some types of algae as well as other plants. I just finished the chapter last night.
 
247Plants said:
LOL I just tore out all the sags and vals in my 180. They will indeed intermix. I have pics if anybody wants to see.
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That's funny! He could only grow vals & I can grow sag but not vals. I've wondered if it's more a matter of soft vs hard water or whatever.

Miguel, what plants does she say exhibit allelopathy?
 
247Plants said:
LOL I just tore out all the sags and vals in my 180. They will indeed intermix. I have pics if anybody wants to see.
Click to expand...

We never say no to pics. lol :clap:
 
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