Help needed with plant destruction!

[dangreen7]

I am a bit of a plant newbie so please excuse me! Ok so I got this plant for my semi planted tank (work in progress), I have had it for just over one week and it has been shredded up (see photo). I always see one of my Platies (potentially pregnant) hanging around it and nipping it from time to time and I believe this is the cause. So my questions are, is this normal for Platies to eat these plants and is it ok for them? And should I remove the plant or see if it will recover? Thanks any help is appreciated! ?

 

[Tetra1990]

It appears to be a white ribbon plant. If so, it's not an aquatic plant. If so, eventually they will melt and just fall apart. These are very pretty, but can't handle being fully submersed.

 

[dangreen7]

Thanks tetra, that's very interesting. I was not told this upon purchase. I guess I should remove it then? Maybe plant it in a pot?

 

[Tetra1990]

Thanks tetra, that's very interesting. I was not told this upon purchase. I guess I should remove it then? Maybe plant it in a pot?

If indeed it is a white ribbon, they do best in terriaums, like for frogs/toads. I'm not sure planting it in a pot,like a normal house plant, would work, unless you put the whole thing in the tank and let the leaves reach out the top.

 

[dangreen7]

Hmm... Ok I will do some research and try and make sure it is a white ribbon, then work out a solution. Thanks for the help! ??

 

[Rivercats]

It is a White Ribbon Plant which is in the Dracaena family.

 

[dangreen7]

Thanks rivercats, so do they break up over time like tetra said?

 

[Rivercats]

They can but if you want you can remove the aerial roots or you can cut the stem off right below the roots and replant that portion of the plant. I tend to cut aerial roots off that look unsightly as I like water sprite to grow into a full thick plant.

 

[dangreen7]

Ok, thanks, I'll try that!