PLANT EATING FISH

Happy new year everyone!!

I have 120x45x45 tank since 2020 and currently have these list of tropical fishes:
8xGuppies,
1xBlack molly- other have died,
8xPlaties & now with 4babies,
3xSwordtails,
4xRosy barb & now with 1baby (I don't know how the egg survived, I placed the fry separately in container with plants with 2 other fries thinking they are guppies (1 dead & other was guppy),
3xSAE,
1xAlbino shark &
1xRainbow shark
1xMystery snail
Trumpet & pet snail - countless

On the 23rd December I planted beginner friendly plants I.e Cryptocoryne, Rotala rotundifolia, Ludwigia repens, Bacopa monnieri, water sprite, Vallis, Juncus repens, Floscopa scandens, Brazilian pennywort, Lilaeopsis brasiliensis & Amazon swords.

Can you please assist me.
Which of my fishes is eating the leaves of my plants - the bacopa is the only one still intact.

I'm feeding twice a day mixture of Sera Granugreen, Vipagran, Guppygran and Hikari Algae wafers & Seaweed extreme.
In addition live mosquito larva & freeze dried tubifex worms once a week.

Your assistance is highly appreciated.

 

Hi @Maria Masilela I would love to see a pic of your tank.

From your fish list I would only bet on the sharks eating plants. That said,if the plants are new they could just be melting while they adjust to the new conditions of your tank which is normal

 

Hello!

I agree with Shabir.

Plants may be dying because of a lack of light and/or lack of nutrients.

What lighting are you using and for how long per day are your lights on?

 

Thanks @Shabir and @Kendrick for your responses!

There are signs that the plants are being eaten bcs of biting marks one day then next day all leaves are gone but not sure who did that. I most times see the SAE on the plants but not 100% they are the culprit.

The lighting is Itel 72w Led 6500k for 10-12hrs. I have aquatic mix plus topsoil covered with pool sand an have inserted root tabs. Is there something else i need to add?.

Can you pls assist how do I upload a picture

 

Go to reply block. On bottom right there is block that says upload. Search for pic and double click on it. Bottom right select insert full image . Then post reply

 

@Maria Masilela I would give the tank time to establish itself and not panic. Drastic changes cause more problems than good in my experience.

You've set up a marvellous tank from the sounds of it with a rich substrate base; bravo! Keep doing what you're doing and you'll see the tank come to life.

Because the plants are adapting/melting (or dying), the snails and your Siamese Algae Eater are tucking in. They do not eat healthy plants; especially the snails which are detritovores.

I recently setup a similar tank with compost at the bottom and capped it with 10cm of pool filter sand. I waited 3 weeks until I added plants etc.

Feel free to DM me for my cell number if you want to ask questions and send photos for faster responses, voicenotes etc.

Blessings

 

This pretty much covers it. Sometimes fish will eat dying plants and so will snails which gives you the impression that they have killed the plant which was just melting back.

 

Phew that's a relief to find that the fish are eating dying leaves.
When do I need to add liquid fertilizer and which kind is the best?

Hereunder

 

I wouldn't add any for quite sometime. Let the tank settle into a consistent rhythm of lightning, food etc.

Try to disturb the tank as little as possible.

 

Thanks @Kendrick for your advise. I'll wait and see the new growth, hopefully soon