Java moss and Mbuna

[Gillie]

I am thinking about putting java moss in my mbuna tank for them to graze on, is this a safe idea?

 

[WaterPond]

fish dislike java moss, just as much as java fern, anubias, and crypt species. It must have a funny taste.

 

[Gillie]

Thank you very much.

 

[Voodoo Chilli]

Yep, I've never seen a fish eat it.

It certainly wouldn't hurt to add it to your tank though.

 

[Gillie]

The LFS that I would be getting the moss from told me that it would not be a wise choice, because they would eat it which I thought wasn't to bad. I don't trust most of what they say so I thought I'd check with everybody here.

 

[triazole]

if i remember correctly, somebody (travis ?) had their mbuna shred the moss, not eat it. now that won't be funny. the moss, if shred, would end up clogging the filter intake.

 

[MyCatsDrool]

try duckweed, watersprite or guppy grass

 

[coldmachineUK]

You could also cultivate algae on any rockwork you have: they love to graze on that, and it adds a natural effect to the tank as well
Mine love the stuff (which is good for me!)

 

[hulkamaniac]

try duckweed, watersprite or guppy grass

I have Java moss and duckweed in tanks that house convicts and Jack Dempseys. If either of them eat the stuff, I've seen no evidence of it. Doesn't hurt the fish though.

 

[toddnbecka]

A friend who owns an lfs told me he tried some java moss in a tank with electric yellow's. It didn't last a week. Some mbuna will eat just about any live plants, though java fern seems to be an exception.

 

[Gillie]

would it be a beneficial supplement if they did eat it?

 

[toddnbecka]

I'm not sure how nutritious it would actually be, probably about the same as algae. Frozen peas (thawed, not actually cooked) are a better alternative for fresh veggie food.