Buenos Aires Tetra Plant Consumption

[StereoKills]

I'm getting irritated at my Buenos Aires Tetras. They will snack on many plants in their tank. Vals, Dwarf Sags and Christmas Moss have been eaten into oblivion. Am I not feeding them enough or are they just going to snack on any softer plants no matter what I do? I'd like to have more diversity of plants in the tank, but I feel that most of the ones I'd like to add would just be lunch. Any suggestions?

 

[Hooked Newbie]

I think they'll probably always nibble at least. Do you feed anything with veggie matter (spirulina flakes, veggies, etc.)? Maybe they're reacting to a nutritional deficiency... You might have to trade them (or rehome them) in for another large bodied Tetra.

 

[jm1212]

how much and how often are you feeding?

 

[Marinemom]

What exactly are you feeding them and how much? How often? Some fish will eat plants no matter how much or what ever you are feeding them.

Marinemom

 

[StereoKills]

I have a school of 10 in my 55g, I feed once a day as much as they can eat in 2 minutes, rotating between Ken's Earthworm Flake, Freeze-Dried Bloodworms and Omega One Super Color Flakes. I don't have any food that is specifically vegetable matter, although I have been looking for one.

 

[msjinkzd]

Kens sells spirulina flake. shoot me a pm, i have a ton, i could send you some to try and see if they like it.

 

[Lupin]

LOL! Buenos Aires tetras relish plants. We've always had complaints about them doing it in planted tanks.:laugh:

 

[StereoKills]

I'm going to start adding spirulina flakes to their diet, do you think this will cause them to at least munch on the plants less?

 

[Lupin]

I'm going to start adding spirulina flakes to their diet, do you think this will cause them to at least munch on the plants less?

I don't think so. Their taste for plants especially those with soft foliage cannot be easily prevented. All fish are opportunistic eaters and will not want to miss a free meal.