What eats the Hygrophila polysperma?

[saganco]

I'm wanting to have it in a couple of tanks (both species of the plant), and want to know in advance what is likely to munch on it. Any help here? I just hate having holes in the leaves or edges chewed off!

 

[John N.]

Hmm, most fish, if not all leave this plant alone. The fish species that might take a nip at it some plants on occassion are cichlids. But I'm guessing it could be snails or a deficiency causing ratty looking leaves.

-John N.

 

[saganco]

So the snails (MTS) might eat it? Nothing else likely? Hmmm... Wonder if they do so much damage as to make it ugly. I really want to keep my snails and shrimp. If I have to pass on the plant, I can, but love this plant. Any other thoughts or culprits for munching?

 

[Sammie7]

MTS aren't known for eating plants at all, only certain species of apple snails eat plants. When I had a honey gourami it picked at my anacharis leaves making it look ratty. Don't know if this would apply though. The main reason I stay away from gouramis now is because I am afraid they will pick at my rotala. It could have just been that one fish but I don't want to risk it. What fish do you plan on keeping?

 

[saganco]

There are several tanks that will have these plants, so here's a sum total of the various occupants of all the tanks combined:
Mollies, platies, burmese botias, rainbow sharks, gold algae eaters, SAE's, various tetras (glo lights & cardinals), rainbowfish, CA cichlids (honduran red points, sajicas, and rainbow cichlids). I think that's everyone. Covers 3 tanks total. Oops - forgot the ghost shrimp and MTS. So any input on what kind of plants to avoid with these guys? Thanks in advance.:read: