yes, they are plastic. otherwise they would be lunch
the thing is, I don't think thats the problem cause I have been keeping redhooks for almost 20 years now (I have always had a set since I started fishkeeping) and I have never had that problem..so...I don't know..
I picked up a bunch of barbus filamentosa today. one of my favorite barbs. I had a school of 4 semi adults in my old fishroom that were stunning, so I think a school will look great in the big tank.
they are in the quarentine tank to be grown up a bit first though because they are a bit small. probably redhook food if I tried putting them in there now..