Journal 20 gallon Rotala florida tank

[Dennis Wong]

Fish close-ups:

Imperial lapis tetras
Yellow kerri tetras

Feeding well in the aquarium, but was told that these may not have the best genetics so I may rotate them out over time

 

[Dennis Wong]

Realized I've never posted a comparison of Rotala macrandra mini type 4 green and red.

 

[TRyan]

Hey Dennis, did you replace the offending tetras that were snacking on your rotala Florida leaves? I'm curious if you have any tricks to catch the fish without removing all of the stems from the tank.

I received some tissue culture rotala Florida stems a short while ago and am experiencing the same issues with my tetras biting chunks out of the leaves. I've watched both lemon tetras and blueberry tetras taking bites from the leaves. Frustrating to say the least.

 

[ElleDee]

Imperial lapis tetra is Hyphessobrycon melanostichos, right? I've never seen them in person and they look so inconsistent in pictures. Sometimes basically a silver fish with a black stripe, and sometimes quite prismatic.

 

[Dennis Wong]

Imperial lapis tetra is Hyphessobrycon melanostichos, right? I've never seen them in person and they look so inconsistent in pictures. Sometimes basically a silver fish with a black stripe, and sometimes quite prismatic.

I'm not sure if these are Hyphessobrycon cyanotaenia or melanostichos actually. (as usual local trading names isn't always accurate)
They take time to gain their full coloration. Genetics also play a role as I've see paler/richer colored fish within the same tank. Silver fish with black stripe tends to be newly added fish that is not yet acclimatized I would think. For many Hyphessobrycon species, good coloration can take a few months to set in. Planted aquarium lights also enhances their coloration compared to say aquariums using less quality light spectrums. Other side things also - when I kept Hyphessobrycon wadai, they had poorer coloration in a seiryu iwagumi, and only showed better colors in a lower pH wood & plants planted setup.

Hey Dennis, did you replace the offending tetras that were snacking on your rotala Florida leaves? I'm curious if you have any tricks to catch the fish without removing all of the stems from the tank.

I received some tissue culture rotala Florida stems a short while ago and am experiencing the same issues with my tetras biting chunks out of the leaves. I've watched both lemon tetras and blueberry tetras taking bites from the leaves. Frustrating to say the least.

I haven't removed them. Over feeding them seem to lessen the plant biting to an acceptable amount? I quite like the fish and don't have another large tank to house them so if the plants get destroyed further I'll likely just find ways to replace the plants with something else they wouldn't bite as much. Then it will be opportunity to redesign the tank I guess.

The tank is a lot more lively when there is more fish.