What are these things?

[dapellegrini]

Just got a few plants via AquaBid... The Mermaidweed looked incredibly clean, completely healthy, no rotting leaves and no snails or other weird stuff (or so it seems)...

The E. Triandra isn't too happy, but is alive enough to salvage:

**/PIC/**

http://www.publiclogic.com/fish/DSC06386.JPG

The "Pearl Grass" seems happy -- Does this stuff need to be rooted or could I attach it to some driftwood?

**/PIC/**

http://www.publiclogic.com/fish/DSC06388.JPG

And finally, WHAT IS THAT THING IN THE MIDDLE WITH THE BEADY EYES?

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http://www.publiclogic.com/fish/DSC06380.JPG
http://www.publiclogic.com/fish/DSC06379.JPG

I think the snails are of the normal pond-type... right? What about the spiral-looking little ones? These snails eat plants, right?

Thanks everyone!

 

[fish_4_all]

I see a small ramshorn nad some other pond snails, a lot of conical shells that would make me worry but i have never known any of them to eat plants. They could be nasties but could just be the plain pond snails. Also looks like there is a MTS in there also which we know is safe. I don't know, they look like common snails but I am sure if I am wrong somoene will correct me. The two possible species of conical snails might be the oly ones that could be plant eaters but I doubt it.

I take that back, I don't think the spiral "thing" is a snail at all. I would really be reluctant to put it in my tank because it looks like it is soft bodied and if it is could be a parasite.

 

[dapellegrini]

I tried to clean everything pretty thoroughly, though tiny eggs, etc, I am sure I didn't get everything. These are the bigger ones that I threw into a tupperware to try and figure out what they are...

Most of these where in the E. Triandra, by the way... Including that big larva thing...

 

[Zezmo]

The bigh larvae thing belongs in my nightmare creatures post from a couple weeks back. Def quarantine it. Might be some aquatic insect larvae.

The tiny ramshorn snails are harmless to a planted tank. There are a few in my 72g main tank. The nightmare creatures post has some info on them.

 

[Purrbox]

With the Elatine Triandra I'd recommend just planting the parts that look healthy and throwing the rest. It will spread fast enough that you won't notice the difference. If you're not familiar with planting this type of carpet plant, just ask and we can walk you through it.

The "Pearl Grass", probably Hemianthus Micrathemoides which is more commonly called Pearlweed, should be planted in the substrate as it is highly unlikely attach to the driftwood. You might get it to happen if you've got moss growing on it that could be used as a planting medium.

 

[dapellegrini]

I think the larvae thing was DOA... The plants it was in where pretty dried out and I am assuming that it died in transit... Still the ugliest thing I have seen in a bunch of plants.

I have gotten other horrible things in live worms, etc.... not in plants though. Usually just snails.

I have planted the E. Triandra and Pearlweed (I guess it's easier to sell as Pearl Grass) in the substrate and will keep on eye on it. I actually used the dead stuff to anchor it in a bit.

As for the snails, I think I am going to get rid of the whole lot... I don't trust any of them.

 

[fish_4_all]

I would keep the ramshorns, they do a really nice job of eating and breaking up the left over food and plant debri in my tanks. They are the roundish type ones and they shells don't come to a point. They are also very easy to control if you put algae wafers in or a piece of boiled lettuce. They will collect on it overnight and you can scoop it out in the morning before the lights come on.

I have pearlweed and it is slow to take off but I think it will be an awesome plant once it does.