Mine were most definitely eating mayaca. They weren't a bit shy about it and did what you describe with taking hold of a bit and then yanking. The plants ended up as stems with stubs only and I tossed them. Now have some in a tank with no SAEs and it's doing fine. Ellen O'Connell Parker, CO mailto:oconnel4 at ix_netcom.com http://www.rottrescue.com/