Gold Barbs or Mascara Barbs

[JLW]

Hey Folks,

I have a planted tank that is slowly being decimated -- the plants are turning into denuded stems. My two most likely suspects are either gold barbs or mascara barbs (Dawkinsia assimilis). Does anyone else have experience keeping either of these with plants, and can vouch for their safety or lack thereof?

The main plant getting destroyed is Rotala rotundifolia, though some Ludwigia have also vanished entirely.

[jweis]

I have gold barbs in one of my tanks and while I suspect they are keeping my cherry shrimp population under control, I haven't noticed any damage to my plants.

[krisw]

Odessa barbs and cherry barbs have most definitely eaten plants in my experience. Often, just the delicate new growth, rather than devouring whole plants, but still impacts plants ability to thrive/grow well...