Pothos?

[odelayheehoo]

Would I be able to use a pothos plant inside the tank, mostly for decoration? I know the crabs may pick at it, but I know the plant would be great in the tank anyways.

It’s been separated from dirt for months now, it was being used in a fish tank, similar to aquaponics, so it’s definitely organic now.

[aussieJJDude]

As a nitrate sink for plants (curious, what you have in there?)



Otherwise, yes it's fine. It may be a little limp at the start since its use to water all the time but in a couple of days it will adjust.

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[odelayheehoo]

As a nitrate sink for plants (curious, what you have in there?)



Otherwise, yes it's fine. It may be a little limp at the start since its use to water all the time but in a couple of days it will adjust.

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I had community fish in the tank which is no longer operational, which is why I asked about the pothos for the crabbies.

So, what should I plant it in? What dirt is safe to use, if any?

[aussieJJDude]

I'd just stick with EE, moistened in freshwater. Keep it contained in a small pot (or plastic yogurt/margerine/butter container) and let it do its thing.

Edit: that's a shame, I love my community aquariums.
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[odelayheehoo]

I'd just stick with EE, moistened in freshwater. Keep it contained in a small pot (or plastic yogurt/margerine/butter container) and let it do its thing.

Edit: that's a shame, I love my community aquariums.
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Alright, will do, thank you!

I know, but I really needed to focus more on the crabs, so I just rehomed my fish.

[odelayheehoo]

I haven't added it since I recently noticed that Golden Pothos is on the unsafe list, what do I do?

[aussieJJDude]

It's on the unsafe list due to containing oxalates. The effect on crabs is virtually unknown, but basically oxalates in mammals/reptiles causes calcium to coagulate and can strip the blood of calcium, which can lead to calcium deficiency of muscle tissues and bones. This however, depends on the plant. Spinach contains oxalates, and as far as I'm aware its on the safe list, and also humans have no issue eating it!

Whats important to note, is that numerous crabbers have tried pothos with their crabs, and they all find that the crabs don't tend to eat the plant readily. (In fact, quite a number of crabbers seem to think that crabs have a pretty good ability to distinguish potentially deadly foods/plants from safe foods/plants). I'm currently growing pothos in my crabitat, and have not noticed much concern besides the silly thing not happily growing and dying from the lack of roots. :/ I haven't noticed crabs snacking on it at all.


So its certainly up to you whether you want to add it or not, but I found from my own experiences and others that it is a safe plant to include.

[odelayheehoo]

It's on the unsafe list due to containing oxalates. The effect on crabs is virtually unknown, but basically oxalates in mammals/reptiles causes calcium to coagulate and can strip the blood of calcium, which can lead to calcium deficiency of muscle tissues and bones. This however, depends on the plant. Spinach contains oxalates, and as far as I'm aware its on the safe list, and also humans have no issue eating it!

Whats important to note, is that numerous crabbers have tried pothos with their crabs, and they all find that the crabs don't tend to eat the plant readily. (In fact, quite a number of crabbers seem to think that crabs have a pretty good ability to distinguish potentially deadly foods/plants from safe foods/plants). I'm currently growing pothos in my crabitat, and have not noticed much concern besides the silly thing not happily growing and dying from the lack of roots. :/ I haven't noticed crabs snacking on it at all.


So its certainly up to you whether you want to add it or not, but I found from my own experiences and others that it is a safe plant to include.

This is very helpful, thank you!

[bobbyganoosh]

I have multiple pothos in my tank but i have them in little suction cup acrylic planters towards the top of the terrarium. I have the vines running through zip ties attached throughout the top screen. I have a 36 inch high terrarium and I've made it impossible to get at or into the planters. They're doing awesome.

[DragonsFly]

I grew wild and crazy, very happy pothos trailing all over my 55g. I had the plant in a terra cotta pot with the hole in the bottom stopped up (so watering it would not cause a flood in the tank), and I closed off the top of the pot from crab digging. Then I just set the planter down in the substrate (and watering the plant would slowly release moisture into the substrate around the pot, too, since it was terra cotta). If you don't make the top of the pot crab-proof, the crabs will love to dig down into the pot with the plant and continually disturb the roots (learned that when I first put it in without that protection, had to start over). My crabs never ate the trailing vines or leaves, but clearly loved having a more "jungly" feel to the tank, and felt more comfortable climbing around and hanging out up high when there were leaves that made them feel more concealed. Also, a live plant in the tank is DANDY for increasing humidity (live plants basically "exhale" moisture).