Comments on: Utricularia gibba http://www.guitarfish.org/2008/12/10/utricularia-gibba Planted Aquariums Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:23:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Matt http://www.guitarfish.org/2008/12/10/utricularia-gibba/comment-page-1#comment-8783 Matt Thu, 14 Apr 2011 06:47:54 +0000 http://www.guitarfish.org/?p=536#comment-8783 U. gibba can be quite good looking in a planted tank. As an example, in Takashi Amano’s Nature Aquarium World, Book 2, on page 56: “Underwater Flamenco” aquarium uses it very heavily in the foreground. U. gibba can be quite good looking in a planted tank. As an example, in Takashi Amano’s Nature Aquarium World, Book 2, on page 56: “Underwater Flamenco” aquarium uses it very heavily in the foreground.

]]> By: guitarfish http://www.guitarfish.org/2008/12/10/utricularia-gibba/comment-page-1#comment-2063 guitarfish Sat, 13 Dec 2008 04:02:53 +0000 http://www.guitarfish.org/?p=536#comment-2063 Great thoughts about the tadpoles Mark! Please let us know if you're ever able to test out these theories. Great thoughts about the tadpoles Mark! Please let us know if you’re ever able to test out these theories.

]]> By: Mark F. http://www.guitarfish.org/2008/12/10/utricularia-gibba/comment-page-1#comment-2061 Mark F. Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:25:15 +0000 http://www.guitarfish.org/?p=536#comment-2061 Concerning the use of tadpoles as Utricularia control in a planted aquarium, I'd guess that the same rule applies to them as to herbivorous fish such as Metynnis: they can only be kept in tanks where the plantings are limited to firm, bitter-tasting, broad-leaf plants, such as anubias, java ferns, maybe jungle vals, etc. - provide them with more desirable foods (soft algae, cooked spinach, etc.), and you should be okay. Bear in mind, though, that many native tadpoles - some of which hatch in early Spring, in cool vernal pools - probably can't take the heat in tropical aquariums. When I think about it, it makes perfect sense that tadpoles would like Utricularia: we're talking about an animal (frogs) whose larval stage is herbivorous, but then becomes a carnivore as an adult - maybe eating carnivorous plants is a way for the tadpole to prepare its digestive system for animal protiens. Concerning the use of tadpoles as Utricularia control in a planted aquarium, I’d guess that the same rule applies to them as to herbivorous fish such as Metynnis: they can only be kept in tanks where the plantings are limited to firm, bitter-tasting, broad-leaf plants, such as anubias, java ferns, maybe jungle vals, etc. – provide them with more desirable foods (soft algae, cooked spinach, etc.), and you should be okay. Bear in mind, though, that many native tadpoles – some of which hatch in early Spring, in cool vernal pools – probably can’t take the heat in tropical aquariums.

When I think about it, it makes perfect sense that tadpoles would like Utricularia: we’re talking about an animal (frogs) whose larval stage is herbivorous, but then becomes a carnivore as an adult – maybe eating carnivorous plants is a way for the tadpole to prepare its digestive system for animal protiens.

]]> By: guitarfish http://www.guitarfish.org/2008/12/10/utricularia-gibba/comment-page-1#comment-2060 guitarfish Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:25:33 +0000 http://www.guitarfish.org/?p=536#comment-2060 I wouldn't say that it chokes other plants out, but just like hair/thread algae, it's an eye sore that's especially hard to get rid of. I wouldn’t say that it chokes other plants out, but just like hair/thread algae, it’s an eye sore that’s especially hard to get rid of.

]]> By: octopus.gallery http://www.guitarfish.org/2008/12/10/utricularia-gibba/comment-page-1#comment-2059 octopus.gallery Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:16:30 +0000 http://www.guitarfish.org/?p=536#comment-2059 I haven't ordered anything off of there, no. I think I stumbled onto his site before, but SNW was highly reccommended by a friend of mine so I went with them. But I love buying locally, especially for plants adapted to local conditions, so I'll have to peruse more closely, especially since I've got a spot in my front garden all ready for more carnivores this spring. I guess I didn't gather from your post how much you hated it. I take it that it's really invasive. Does it choke out other plants as well? I haven’t ordered anything off of there, no. I think I stumbled onto his site before, but SNW was highly reccommended by a friend of mine so I went with them. But I love buying locally, especially for plants adapted to local conditions, so I’ll have to peruse more closely, especially since I’ve got a spot in my front garden all ready for more carnivores this spring.

I guess I didn’t gather from your post how much you hated it. I take it that it’s really invasive. Does it choke out other plants as well?

]]> By: guitarfish http://www.guitarfish.org/2008/12/10/utricularia-gibba/comment-page-1#comment-2058 guitarfish Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:59:00 +0000 http://www.guitarfish.org/?p=536#comment-2058 Heh, I think ya'll missed that beyond it's carnivorous lure, I hate this plant, as far as it's aquarium use. In fact, for these pictures, I had to ask to borrow another GWAPA member's plants to take the picture, so I don't have any to share, unfortunately. :-( That's an interesting relationship Mark. I guess OG confirms that tadpoles are a threat to eat the stuff, which means they could be useful in an aquarium, so long as they *only* eat the Utricularia, and not the other plants. OG, have you ever dealt with this CP nursery? http://www.carnivorousplantnursery.com They're local, and the owner is a really nice guy. Heh, I think ya’ll missed that beyond it’s carnivorous lure, I hate this plant, as far as it’s aquarium use. In fact, for these pictures, I had to ask to borrow another GWAPA member’s plants to take the picture, so I don’t have any to share, unfortunately. :-(

That’s an interesting relationship Mark. I guess OG confirms that tadpoles are a threat to eat the stuff, which means they could be useful in an aquarium, so long as they *only* eat the Utricularia, and not the other plants.

OG, have you ever dealt with this CP nursery?
http://www.carnivorousplantnursery.com

They’re local, and the owner is a really nice guy.

]]> By: octopus.gallery http://www.guitarfish.org/2008/12/10/utricularia-gibba/comment-page-1#comment-2057 octopus.gallery Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:47:52 +0000 http://www.guitarfish.org/?p=536#comment-2057 My favorite carnivorous plant dealer - Sarracenia Northwest - had a bunch of their bladderworts eaten by tadpoles this last growing season. My favorite carnivorous plant dealer – Sarracenia Northwest – had a bunch of their bladderworts eaten by tadpoles this last growing season.

]]> By: Mark F. http://www.guitarfish.org/2008/12/10/utricularia-gibba/comment-page-1#comment-2056 Mark F. Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:43:58 +0000 http://www.guitarfish.org/?p=536#comment-2056 The tadpoles of the green paddy frog, sometimes referred to in the trade as the striped rice paddy frog, and scientifically known as Rana erythrea, are reportedly "associated with Utricularia sp." - I don't know if this means that they actually eat the stuff, or if they just hang out in it (the scientists themselves are probably still trying to figure that one out!). Of course, if they eat it, they could theoretically be used to control it in aquariums - provided you don't keep fish species which like to prey on tadpoles! In any event, Rana erythrea is probably the most beautiful little ranid frog I've ever seen for sale in the hobby ... while it's a fairly common and widely-distributed species in Southeast Asia, it rarely shows up in the trade, and it's occurred to me that one might be able to breed it in captivity, in a very large paludarium with lots of Utricularia in the water portion. Just an idea - I personally don't have the time or resources to pursue such a project, but maybe some reader out there does! To see a good photo of Rana erythrea, check out Berkley University's amphibian conservation web site, Amphibiaweb.org. (That's where I got the info about the "association" between the two species) The tadpoles of the green paddy frog, sometimes referred to in the trade as the striped rice paddy frog, and scientifically known as Rana erythrea, are reportedly “associated with Utricularia sp.” – I don’t know if this means that they actually eat the stuff, or if they just hang out in it (the scientists themselves are probably still trying to figure that one out!). Of course, if they eat it, they could theoretically be used to control it in aquariums – provided you don’t keep fish species which like to prey on tadpoles!

In any event, Rana erythrea is probably the most beautiful little ranid frog I’ve ever seen for sale in the hobby … while it’s a fairly common and widely-distributed species in Southeast Asia, it rarely shows up in the trade, and it’s occurred to me that one might be able to breed it in captivity, in a very large paludarium with lots of Utricularia in the water portion. Just an idea – I personally don’t have the time or resources to pursue such a project, but maybe some reader out there does!

To see a good photo of Rana erythrea, check out Berkley University’s amphibian conservation web site, Amphibiaweb.org. (That’s where I got the info about the “association” between the two species)

]]> By: Kim http://www.guitarfish.org/2008/12/10/utricularia-gibba/comment-page-1#comment-2054 Kim Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:40:07 +0000 http://www.guitarfish.org/?p=536#comment-2054 Not only do you have great activities to attend, you have a *basement*. What I'd give for a basement! And I'll take some of that Utricularia gibba stuff, too:) Would be nice in my little 2.5 gallon. Not only do you have great activities to attend, you have a *basement*. What I’d give for a basement!

And I’ll take some of that Utricularia gibba stuff, too:) Would be nice in my little 2.5 gallon.

]]> By: octopus.gallery http://www.guitarfish.org/2008/12/10/utricularia-gibba/comment-page-1#comment-2053 octopus.gallery Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:54:05 +0000 http://www.guitarfish.org/?p=536#comment-2053 I've actually been hoping to add bladderworts to my carnivore collection. Let me know if you need to clean out a tank again. ;D I’ve actually been hoping to add bladderworts to my carnivore collection. Let me know if you need to clean out a tank again. ;D

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