What's been eating my Echinodorus ?

[yhvhjireh]

I recently got a beautiful Echinodorus and got it planted into my 3 ft tank. 2 weeks after it was planted, 3 of the leaves began turning yellow (the rest of the leaves, say about 6 to 8 are all ok and green). Then, the 3 leaves began to breakdown and now, they look like skeletons ! Though they look like skeletons, they still "bubble" like the rest of the plants and photosynthesis seems to be taking place ok. Anybody has any idea what's going on here ? Is this due to difficiency in the micros OR is this the job of some sucker fish ? Any pointers would be much appreciated...Thank You folks...

[benny]

For a start, what fishes do you have in the tank?

Cheers,

[|squee|]

I'll suspect its a case of "melting"; the Echinodorous is changing from emersed to submersed state. If this is the case, you can't do much but trim off the dying leaves and wait for new ones to emerge.

Ruined leaves bubble sometimes, I've seen it with my Crypts but I'm very sure they aren't photosynthesizing because I've read somewhere that they're just leaking out stuff.

[Green Baron]

Do you have Pleco in your tank ? Some species of Pleco love to eat Echinodorous leaves

[bclee]

I recently got a beautiful Echinodorus and got it planted into my 3 ft tank. 2 weeks after it was planted, 3 of the leaves began turning yellow (the rest of the leaves, say about 6 to 8 are all ok and green). Then, the 3 leaves began to breakdown and now, they look like skeletons ! Though they look like skeletons, they still "bubble" like the rest of the plants and photosynthesis seems to be taking place ok. Anybody has any idea what's going on here ? Is this due to difficiency in the micros OR is this the job of some sucker fish ? Any pointers would be much appreciated...Thank You folks...

I too am guessing your some sucker fish (if it is a pleco) is the culprit.

Otherwise, you need to check your fertilisation. Do provide more information on your fertilisation regime.

BC

[yhvhjireh]

For a start, what fishes do you have in the tank?

Cheers,

I have the following fish in my tank currently :

- Platy
- SAE
- Oto
- Pleco (recently removed)
- Yamato Ebi
- Malayan Shrimp


Any pointers ? Thanks in advance...and Cheers...

[bclee]

I have the following fish in my tank currently :

- Platy
- SAE
- Oto
- Pleco (recently removed)
- Yamato Ebi
- Malayan Shrimp


Any pointers ? Thanks in advance...and Cheers...

Pleco is the prime suspect. The others are pretty harmless to your Echinodorus.

BC

[yhvhjireh]

I too am guessing your some sucker fish (if it is a pleco) is the culprit.

Otherwise, you need to check your fertilisation. Do provide more information on your fertilisation regime.

BC

Thanks for your questions. I am using the follow :

- Eheim 2028 External Filter
- Hydor Prime External Filter
- Hydor Undergravel Heating Coil
- JBL Florapol Fertiliser with Gravel (Used only during startup)
- CO2 Fertilisation (Currently using DIY Method, CO2 passes through a reactor. CO2 tank pending top-up)
- Lighting is ON 10 hours a Day
- ADA Green Brighty Special, One Dose per week
- Dennerle Iron Fertiliser Tablet (Used only during startup)
- Water Change : 1/3 tank once a week (with 3-5 drops of Genesis Anti-Cholrine)

Any advise...? Thanks in advance n Cheers...

[yhvhjireh]

Pleco is the prime suspect. The others are pretty harmless to your Echinodorus.

BC

Thanks BC Lee for your tip. Just as what I have suspected too...! I often see the Plecos crowd around the Echinodorus and I initially thought they were eating algae or other stuff off the plants but I think this is NOT the case now. Have already removed the Plecos. . .

Thanks again...