Can utrics catch fish?

[Nflytrap]

Well I just found out that Utricularia gibba, though it has very small traps, has a very small chance of catching a fish. I dropepd a piece into a small cup containing a few belly sliding fry(fry which cannot swim properly...if you want you can read about the rest of them in the FW aquariums section). When I got back one of them was dead with its tail caught neatly inside one of the traps.

I took a few photos but they may not be good...will post them after I am back from a trip.

Seeing this I have no trouble believing a larger utricularia could do similar without having to be confined to a small space.

 

[jimscott]

Not the killies!

Say it aint so!

 

[Nflytrap]

It indeed was a baby killifish. Not one that I was trying to save...most of the siblings that came out similarly(unable to swim properly) are in the bellies of a few bluespotted sunfish juveniles right now. The rest of the (normal) fry are doing excellently and growing. Needless to say I picked out what little U. gibba I could find(if I left it it would likely turn int 50/50 java moss U. gibba in a few weeks). I doubt U. gibba can catch healthy fry but I do know if likely eats as much baby brine shrimp as one!

I was pretty impressed and I've heard some people say that the photos involving Utrics eating fish are posed. I do not doubt that does happen but I believe that larger species can catch small fish if give the chance.