Are there any Central American cichlids that don't uproot/eat live plants?
- Thread starter SCM_2123
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The tank wasn't completely planted but had Convicts that didn’t bother the plants.
Thorichtys, except Thorichthys meeki, are pretty plant safe.
Most of the Cryptoheros/ Amatitlania leave plants alone too.
Most of the Cryptoheros/ Amatitlania leave plants alone too.
Although the type of plants, and species of cichlids are importsnt, in many cases its about adding plants before the cichlids,and letting them establiish strong root systems.
Above and below are well established Vallisnneria beds, allowed to root about amonth before the Central American cichlids were added.
Below Vals and Cryptocorne also given a head start belore cichlids were added, newly planted plants with established territorial cichlids are usually doomed.
Some cichlid species are partically or almost primarlily vegetarian and decimate most plants., whatever they are
The cichlid genus Cincelichthys, and many Vieja will eat most plants.
I have had C bocourti and pearsei grazee merrgiant papyrus to nubs..
These same bocourti and pearsei ate dandelions from myy garden if tossed in the tank.
And of course there are some plants that are so distasetful, that cab be tied to pieces like water logged wood that seem immune.
Anubis left, and Java fern right.
These days I keep many plants in separate planted sumps, that act as nitrate filtration for cichlid aquariums.
Above and below are well established Vallisnneria beds, allowed to root about amonth before the Central American cichlids were added.
Below Vals and Cryptocorne also given a head start belore cichlids were added, newly planted plants with established territorial cichlids are usually doomed.
Some cichlid species are partically or almost primarlily vegetarian and decimate most plants., whatever they are
The cichlid genus Cincelichthys, and many Vieja will eat most plants.
I have had C bocourti and pearsei grazee merrgiant papyrus to nubs..
These same bocourti and pearsei ate dandelions from myy garden if tossed in the tank.
And of course there are some plants that are so distasetful, that cab be tied to pieces like water logged wood that seem immune.
Anubis left, and Java fern right.
These days I keep many plants in separate planted sumps, that act as nitrate filtration for cichlid aquariums.
All cichlid will dig and attempt to uproot plants at spawning times to build nest. The bigger the cichlid, the more powerful and disruptive it is to plants. Convict is mid size cichlid, and males can get big and powerful enough to uproot plants. There are no dwarf cichlid in CA equivalent to Apis in SA that are too weak to uproot plants. But you don’t necessarily have to have plants rooted in substrate as you can attach epiphytes on rock or driftwood with cichlid as post here. Another strategy is to keep single sex cichlid to prevent pairing disruption.
With the right strategy, even the largest fish can be kept with plants. This guy from MEK set up a 600g monster fish tank with tough plants tied to upper level of a drift wood leaving the bottom open for cichlid to dig. The plants he used include anubias and pathos.
Neat looking fish, unfortunately too big and aggressive for my tank.
I'm glad that you said Thoricthys. I've been very intrigued by those. Which types have you kept with plants?
When you say rooted, do you mean planted directly in the substrate? I have gravel, is that realistic or would I be best to stick with something like anubias?
Interesting. Unfortunately those guys are too big and aggressive for my setup.
How do you attach plants to driftwood and rocks?All cichlid will dig and attempt to uproot plants at spawning times to build nest. The bigger the cichlid, the more powerful and disruptive it is to plants. Convict is mid size cichlid, and males can get big and powerful enough to uproot plants. There are no dwarf cichlid in CA equivalent to Apis in SA that are too weak to uproot plants. But you don’t necessarily have to have plants rooted in substrate as you can attach epiphytes on rock or driftwood with cichlid as post here. Another strategy is to keep single sex cichlid to prevent pairing disruption.
With the right strategy, even the largest fish can be kept with plants. This guy from MEK set up a 600g monster fish tank with tough plants tied to upper level of a drift wood leaving the bottom open for cichlid to dig. The plants he used include anubias and pathos.