[AGA-Member] RE: Daphnia, Algae, and Plants

[The Forum <aga-forums@thekrib.com>]

Hi Kirsten,

As far as I know, daphnia only eat suspended unicellular algae.  (or other suspended unicellular material.  The other problem is that the algae that settle and grow on plants are not the same ones that stay suspended in the water.  And one the spores DO settle on plants (or other surfaces) they propagete vegetatively, and there is nothing left in the water column.

However, if you want to ad a little more in the way of "clean-up crew", you could always add a few Otos and some ramshorn snails.  Neither will bother the daphnia at all, and will help keep surfaces clean of algae.  

Just be careful that there IS enough food around for the otos... in a pretty clean tank, particularly if it isn't large, they can easily stave to death.  Unless there is visible algae present, make sure you also offer them either algae wafers or blanched zucchini. (or other blanched veggies, it's just that zucchini is nutritious and very easy to handle)

Karen


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Read this topic online here:

http://forum.aquatic-gardeners.org/viewtopic.php?p=1171#1171

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