S.Rhom + vegitable matter

[mike C]

Hi All,


As you know I recently purchased a 7-8 inch Rhom about 2 weeks ago and I introduced an Amazon Sword plant into his tank yesterday. Well this morning I went into my fish/Tarantula room and ofcourse checked out all my guys and I noticed that the plant has semi-circle bites taken out of some of the leafes. Is this normal behavior? Do they need vegetable matter? Thanks for any info.
Mike

 

[Oddball]

Ps can definitely use plant matter in their diets to help in fending off HITH though, they won't actively seek it themselves. They get plant matter through the herbivores they feed on. Gut-loading live foods prior to offering them to predators offers them a more nutritious and beneficial diet than just up-ending the feeder bag into the tank.
The plant tearing is more likely adjusting his territory with the newly introduced plant.

 

[mike C]

Ahhhh, Thanks for the reply and info.
Mike

 

[maxinout13]

this is true, i keep plants in my personal tanks, they do get chomped on but its not really alot of money out of your pocket if this does happen, but when your fish is eating other fish that feed off algea plant matter making it a source of nutrients and more for your piranha. plants also help the waters and make great for show so i dont stress when they get nibbled on or knocked around