David C

I was at my LFS today and one of the ladies told me the molly's in my tank will eat all the plants and I should just switch to fake plants. Is this true or is she being an idiot again. (I can say she's an idiot because she SWEARS that the bacteria live in the water, not on the filter media or anything else and that's why you are supposed to take out your media and wash it at least monthly)

Dark_Rider2k3

Well in this case, I don't think she is crazy.

I went to my LFS who is very respectable and I trust their knowledge, and they told me that when I asked about Molly's that they will eat live plants (they feed off the algae on them and well.. nibble at them).

The good news is they told me there are some plants that they won't touch, like Java Fern and Java Moss. I'm not sure what other plants but they said they'd help me pick out plants for the tank when I got it all set up and filled with water.

David C

I never know with this lady, but its the closest place to my house, the good shop is 25miles and I wasnt in the area today. I'll have to research my plant choices a little better to make sure I dont set myself up for failure.

pepetj

Hi David:
Go with trial-and-error. The molly fry would appreciate some real plants, and so will the adults.

I would place both types, those they would eat, and those they wouldn't. Then see what happens (and of course, make sure you share your experience with us here).

For low-mid light: hornwort, anacharis, anubias barteri (hardy), swords, even java fern.
(note: I keep plants with my young oscar. Most people say don't. What has happened so far? he/she:
a) destroys -big sword, b)moves around -medium sword, loves to be around -anacharis, hornwort, or pays no attention at all -anubias, at will)

Pepe
Santo Domingo

David C

Thats some good advice, I'll definately keep track of what they eat/dont eat. Maybe it'll help someone else out in the end. They've already torn a leaf off my madagascan lace, not sure what the official name of the plant is but it looks really cool. So... that's probably not a plant I'll be able to keep too much of