Java ferns and anubias in cichlid tanks?

[Naos1984]

Do you have real/natural plants in your aquariums, specially cichlid tanks? I want to try them in my large tank. How much do they affect the water quality? Currently I have tried securing Java ferns onto clay bricks using tie-wraps. Thinking of doing the same for anubias but with driftwood. What do you guys think?

Original question.

 

[joe jaskot]

I have plants in almost all of my tanks. The plants help purify the water. Fishing line (especially green braid) is better for attaching plants to rocks or driftwood.

 

[Shenanigans]

What kinds of cichlids do you have? There are many varieties of plants that will thrive with certain species. Most anubias species are hardy and will thrive with most cichlids. My coffeefolia even survives the harrassment from my large oscars and plecos. Whoever told me anubias is pleco safe was full of it, but well-established plants still do well. While I rarely have luck with them, some of the tougher swords might also do well. If they are not herbivorous cichlids, you could also try rotalas or anarchsis. You probably wont be able to keep them planted, but many varieties will grow just fine floating if you dont mind that look. Even if the cichlids attack rotala or anarchsis, it grows fast enough that it should still survive and thrive. There are also many varieties of moss, such as java moss, that when grown right can be quite attractive and will most likely survive.

 

[duanes]

I have plants ( water plants, emergent, and algae)with all my cichlids, or at least, in their sumps.
I believe plants and algae are an integral part of the health of the tanks, even if the cichlids sometimes disagree.

Whenever my tanks are near a window, I try to also use emergent plants.

also allow algae to grow on everything it can.

 

[Naos1984]

Wonderful and helpful replies! Glad I also asked here! Hoping for more replies!

I have plants in almost all of my tanks. The plants help purify the water. Fishing line (especially green braid) is better for attaching plants to rocks or driftwood.

Unfortunately, I cannot find this wonderful idea of yours, the green braid. Very stealthy. Still many thanks! I settled for white-colored tie-wraps which I will remove after 2 months when the anubias and the Java ferns have rooted into the brick or the driftwood.

What kinds of cichlids do you have? There are many varieties of plants that will thrive with certain species. Most anubias species are hardy and will thrive with most cichlids. My coffeefolia even survives the harrassment from my large oscars and plecos. Whoever told me anubias is pleco safe was full of it, but well-established plants still do well. While I rarely have luck with them, some of the tougher swords might also do well. If they are not herbivorous cichlids, you could also try rotalas or anarchsis. You probably wont be able to keep them planted, but many varieties will grow just fine floating if you dont mind that look. Even if the cichlids attack rotala or anarchsis, it grows fast enough that it should still survive and thrive. There are also many varieties of moss, such as java moss, that when grown right can be quite attractive and will most likely survive.

I have Oscars, a super-red severum, a green terror and even a giant gourami. Only issue I have right now is one that you highlighted: the pleco. DAY 2 and still none of my monsters are attacking the plants but the pleco has been spotted munching on some anubias but seem to discontinue it. Will monitor at the moment. If I notice some damage, I will have to rehouse him. I have anacharis in my other planted tanks which I got just 2 days ago. Dwarf gouramis seem to love them. I have not seen the rotalas but will certainly try them when I see one. How difficult is it to grow the Java moss? How do you attache them to anything? Thanks for the great ideas!

I have plants ( water plants, emergent, and algae)with all my cichlids, or at least, in their sumps.
I believe plants and algae are an integral part of the health of the tanks, even if the cichlids sometimes disagree.

Whenever my tanks are near a window, I try to also use emergent plants.

also allow algae to grow on everything it can.

You allow algae on your tanks? That's a first. I am for one unsure about it but I want to try since they also give off oxygen and take nutrients from the water. I have one side of my tanks that catches minimal sunlight but that is if there are no laundries on that side. Also, you have wonderful planted tanks! I would love to have the same setups as yours though I would want larger fish in mine.

 

[Rafini]

Africans will eat all kinds of plants. I have tried all of the hardy species with no luck. American cichlids on the other hand are actually not that bad.

South american species tend to be very plant tolerant, and I have found if the fish grow up from a small age around plants they are much more likely to tolerate them. Its the central american species and the more aggressive cichlids that will attack the plants and rip them to shreds. My old oscar would even shred plastic plants. They just get bored and take out their aggression on stuff. But lots of south American set ups do well with plants. My old Rotkeil severum used to nibble my plants but once I started giving him some more algae based foods he stopped. I guess more than anything it is luck but there are some basic guidelines you can follow

 

[joe jaskot]

Africans will eat all kinds of plants. I have tried all of the hardy species with no luck. American cichlids on the other hand are actually not that bad.

South american species tend to be very plant tolerant, and I have found if the fish grow up from a small age around plants they are much more likely to tolerate them. Its the central american species and the more aggressive cichlids that will attack the plants and rip them to shreds. My old oscar would even shred plastic plants. They just get bored and take out their aggression on stuff. But lots of south American set ups do well with plants. My old Rotkeil severum used to nibble my plants but once I started giving him some more algae based foods he stopped. I guess more than anything it is luck but there are some basic guidelines you can follow

there are some plants that african cichlids don't eat - bolbitis and java fern. Many won't touch anubias unless it is covered with algae. I also have some aponogeton bulbs growing in one of my african tanks. It all depends on the fish.

 

[Naos1984]

there are some plants that african cichlids don't eat - bolbitis and java fern. Many won't touch anubias unless it is covered with algae. I also have some aponogeton bulbs growing in one of my african tanks. It all depends on the fish.

I see you really are good at this. What other plants can you recommend? I prefer non-substrate-based plants coz with my giant gourami's rowdy behavior, they will be uprooted in 5 minutes or less. He is a glass-banger and you know, his tail fans everything from behind. I really want to attach an anacharis to a rock and place it in one of my tank's corners but I really don't think it will survive. It looks just so munchy.

 

[Naos1984]

Africans will eat all kinds of plants. I have tried all of the hardy species with no luck. American cichlids on the other hand are actually not that bad.

South american species tend to be very plant tolerant, and I have found if the fish grow up from a small age around plants they are much more likely to tolerate them. Its the central american species and the more aggressive cichlids that will attack the plants and rip them to shreds. My old oscar would even shred plastic plants. They just get bored and take out their aggression on stuff. But lots of south American set ups do well with plants. My old Rotkeil severum used to nibble my plants but once I started giving him some more algae based foods he stopped. I guess more than anything it is luck but there are some basic guidelines you can follow

My Oscar tends to inspect and wallow through the anubias and the Java ferns this afternoon and then he lost interest. Hope it stays that way. As for the Africans, have you tried Java ferns? Many forums, say they are ideal for Africans as they are BITTER. This is why I tried them in my tank (for the GG of course). The coarse texture and tough leaves I think are also a deterrent. Even I found that I am allergic to them. I had rashes after arranging things inside the tank that my rowdy crew have destroyed every single day.

 

[duanes]

If by "giant", you mean a true goramy, they are vegetarians, an will eat just about anything green.
As adults mine would eat a half head of romaine per day. A planted sump may be needed for the stock you keep.