I purchased a pot of Alternanthera reineckii ''roseafolia'' three weeks ago. I removed it from the pot, removed the fibrous material from around the roots and planted it in 2.5" of flourite with an API tab about 2" away from the root system. I have 2 WPG with lights on 10 - 11 hours a day, no CO2 so I add half a dose of Flourish excel every other day and Flourish once a week with a 25% water change. PH is 6.7 and temperature is 80 degrees F. The plant is growing (almost 3 " in three weeks) and has a nice red color, but is literally riddled with holes.
The holes are probably from my fish. The fish that graze on the plants are, three Ottocinclus, three SAEs, two 2" Clown Loach, one 2" Burmese Border Loach, and one 2" Bristlenose Pleco. I have a heavily planted tank and all my other plants are fine. Does anyone else have trouble maintaining this particular plant? Any recommendations? Do you know of any other plants with red foliage that are hardier? I have a Red Melon and Rubin Sword that are growing well, but do not have a very strong red coloration.
The holes are probably from my fish. The fish that graze on the plants are, three Ottocinclus, three SAEs, two 2" Clown Loach, one 2" Burmese Border Loach, and one 2" Bristlenose Pleco. I have a heavily planted tank and all my other plants are fine. Does anyone else have trouble maintaining this particular plant? Any recommendations? Do you know of any other plants with red foliage that are hardier? I have a Red Melon and Rubin Sword that are growing well, but do not have a very strong red coloration.
